For over eight decades, Carl Schmale GmbH & Co. has been a pioneer in automation solutions for home textile manufacturing, continuously evolving to meet industry demands. Established in 1936, the company has set benchmarks in cutting, sewing, and folding automation, shaping the future of textile production worldwide. With a strong presence in India and other key global markets, SCHMALE remains committed to advancing technology, enhancing efficiency, and delivering high-quality solutions.
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Hendrik Schmale, Managing Director of Carl Schmale GmbH & Co., shares insights into the company’s legacy, innovative advancements, market presence, and vision for the future.
Q1: Could you introduce SCHMALE and provide an overview of the company’s history and journey?
Dr. Schmale: SCHMALE has been at the forefront of automating production processes in the home textile industry for decades. Established in 1936 as a family business in Germany’s traditional textile region of Münsterland, we initially traded in sewing machines. Recognizing the evolving needs of commercial applications, we soon began modifying these machines, which led to the development of the first longitudinal hemming machine, the legendary A1.
The 1980s marked a turning point with advancements in microelectronics, allowing for the automation of increasingly complex processes. By the 1990s, our focus shifted to fully automated, computer-controlled machines with enhanced productivity. Today, SCHMALE, still being a family business, stands as a global leader in home textile automation, continually driving innovation in the industry.
Q2: What are the current products and solutions that SCHMALE offers to the global market?
Dr. Schmale: Our product range includes semi- and fully-automatic installations for cutting, sewing, and folding, catering to diverse home textile applications. We specialize in automated solutions for towels, bed linen sets, table linen, dish towels, and more.
Under our SCHMALEDURATE brand, we offer fully integrated production lines that automate the entire process—from fabric rolls to finished products. Additionally, we provide the full range of standalone machines that automate specific sub-processes. This ensuring full flexibility for manufacturers of all sizes and furthermore easy access to automation for growing companies.
Q3: Which global markets have traditionally been strong for SCHMALE, and which emerging markets show the most growth potential?
Dr. Schmale: SCHMALE began exporting to European neighbors in the 1960s and 1970s. As the German textile industry witnessed structural change in the 1980s and 1990s, we further expanded into markets such as Turkey, South and Central America, North Africa, and not least Asia which became key sales regions.
In Asia, India has always been our primary focus . Today, it is one of our strongest global markets, and we expect continued growth as Indian manufacturers increasingly adopt automation to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Q4: Could you highlight some of the recent innovations and technologies introduced by SCHMALE?
Dr. Schmale: We constantly thrive to push the technological boundaries forward thereby offering new solutions matching current and future market needs. SCHMALE has continuously innovated, securing numerous patents for cutting-edge solutions in cutting, sewing, hemming, fabric transport, and complete production automation.
Be it the introduction of a unique and reliable toolbox of automatic quality tools that allows easy processing of a maximum range of product qualities for all clients. Or the introduction of a modular machine program which builds on the market experience of more than 85 years of automation and allows to economically combine special manufacturing processes according to individual customer demands.
Our primary focus is delivering customized, high-performance solutions that maximize efficiency while maintaining top-tier quality. Every innovation is designed to streamline production, reduce labor dependency, and enhance precision in home textile manufacturing.
Q5: How long has SCHMALE been present in the Indian market, and how important is India to the company? Could you name some of your key customers in India?
Dr. Schmale: SCHMALE has been serving Indian textile manufacturers for over 40 years, steadily expanding our presence in the market. India has now become one of our strongest global sales markets. Consequently, together with our long-term partner Bakubhai Ambalal, we were able to establish a dynamic and highly available sales and service network within India in order to meet the growing demands.
We are proud to work with some of India’s largest home textile manufacturers, including Trident, Welspun, Himatsingka, Kapoor, Sharada, and Alok, among many others. Our long-standing partnerships with these industry leaders reflect our commitment to supporting India’s growing textile sector.
Q6: With automation and digitization transforming textile manufacturing, how is SCHMALE driving innovation in these areas?
Dr. Schmale: Over 85 years of continuous development have positioned SCHMALE as a leader in textile automation. Today, our focus extends beyond mechanical advancements to include IT-driven innovations.
Our machines are becoming increasingly intelligent, featuring real-time adaptive adjustments, much like modern automotive assistance systems. This technology allows machines to automatically optimize parameters for each piece of fabric, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
For large-scale operations, we have developed networked production systems that connect multiple machines into a centralized control and data management system. This integration enhances real-time monitoring, optimizes workflow, and reduces downtime, ensuring manufacturers achieve maximum productivity.
Q7: In a competitive landscape with multiple automation providers, what differentiates SCHMALE?
Dr. Schmale: SCHMALE’s core strength lies in process efficiency, precision, and reliability. Our approach is rooted in maximizing production output, ensuring superior quality, and reducing operating costs.
We focus on optimizing machine availability, reducing setup times, simplifying operations, and minimizing reject rates. By continuously innovating and integrating the latest technology, SCHMALE offers machines that exceed industry standards and provide a clear competitive edge for our clients.
It is this relentless commitment to quality and innovation that enables our customers to enhance their productivity, achieve significant cost savings, and maintain long-term profitability.
Q8: India is a global leader in home textiles and is expected to strengthen this position further. What are SCHMALE’s expectations for the Indian market, and how does the company plan to capitalize on these opportunities?
Dr. Schmale: India’s home textile sector is poised for strong growth, driven by initiatives like Make in India and the increasing adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. Automation is becoming a critical factor in improving efficiency and maintaining global competitiveness.
SCHMALE sees enormous growth potential in India, and we remain committed to supporting this market through cutting-edge automation solutions. Our long-term strategy includes enhancing our presence, strengthening partnerships with Indian manufacturers, and introducing new technologies that align with the industry’s evolving needs.
As Indian textile manufacturers continue to invest in automation, SCHMALE will be at the forefront, providing the expertise and solutions necessary to drive efficiency, ensure sustainability, and enhance global competitiveness.
With a legacy of over 85 years in textile automation, SCHMALE continues to lead the industry with cutting-edge innovations that redefine home textile manufacturing. Its strong presence in India and other global markets, commitment to technological excellence, and focus on automation and digital integration position the company for sustained growth.
As the demand for high-quality, automated textile solutions grows, SCHMALE remains dedicated to delivering efficiency, precision, and sustainability, ensuring that manufacturers worldwide can meet the challenges of the future.
