We are Schützinger

The year is 1951: Gerhard Schützinger lives in the Alb region and exchanges painted or  – as we would say today – upcycled items for food, while the German economic miracle slowly but surely is picking up speed: Gerhard Schützinger decides he wants to be part of it. Identity card no. 63, issued by the Münsingen district office, states that the holder of this card is authorized to act as a sales representative for “wooden and metal goods, jewelry items, and electrical installation materials.” Labor Schütz sees the light of day.

As a trained businessman living in a time of lack, Gerhard Schützinger relies on a trait that has always been his own: his inventive spirit. He has a keen sense of what the market needs and then takes care of it.

That is basically exactly what we still do today. We have carried on the spirit of innovation and we still take care of what our customers need.

The 1960s are marked by a woman, two sons, and three pioneers. From the outset, it is clear that Labor Schütz will not be a “one-man” job. Elisabeth Schützinger, Gerhard's wife, is the heart and soul of the company from the very beginning and contributes significantly to its stability and growth. And because the Schützinger family has always considered the company a family affair, their two sons, Michael and Bernhard, are also “allowed” to get involved from an early age: the kitchen table is often littered with small parts arranged systematically, waiting to be assembled.

In addition to our “own parts,” however, trade has always been an essential part of our DNA. If we could ask Gerhard Schützinger, he would have seen himself as part of a trio of pioneers. In addition to Rolf Kreeb, whose company RAFI we had already been representing in the previous decade, K.A. Schmersal is also part of this magical triangle. We took over his representation in 1961. The three complemented each other well on several levels, because “there was always something to improve and tinker with.”

The order books in the 1970s were full, boxes of parts were piling up in the basement, and office space was becoming increasingly limited. When Michael Schützinger officially joins the family business in 1976, his first task is to manage the construction site of the new building on Eichwiesenring in Stuttgart-Möhringen. In keeping with the swabian motto, “Hard work pays off” we as the Schützinger company and family demonstrate what matters most: a solid base. By moving into the new building and welcoming Bernhard Schützinger to the company, we have now set the course for the future.

The 1980s stand for transformation like hardly any other decade. With the election of Helmut Kohl, there is a change of course in economic policy and a growing awareness of issues such as the environment and unity. This new awareness will culminate in the fall of the Berlin Wall. And while the whole country is caught up in a spirit of optimism, times of change and expansion are also upon us. With the acquisition of additional agencies, we also expand our home base by purchasing the neighboring building. In 1985, the company's founder, Elisabeth Schützinger, our good soul, enters her well-deserved retirement. When Bernhard and Michael Schützinger are appointed managing directors in 1988, we are ready for the new decade: bring on the 1990s!

In 1993, company patriarch Gerhard Schützinger hands over the business completely to his two sons. With them, we consistently continue to live our core values of having a solid base and being approachable. This leads to the acquisition of further agencies, most notably JUNG in 1999 with 20 employees. With around 50 employees, we look forward to the millennium.

In 2001, we celebrate our spectacular 50th anniversary. And although we continue to take on new commercial agencies and steadily expand our standard product range during this decade, our spirit of innovation remains undiminished: at this point, every third product we offer is a special development for a customer.

Many look back fondly on the summer of 2014. On winning the World Cup, or rather on the memorable semi-final. And while motorcades clog the German streets under a sea of flags, we also have a lot to contend with but also to celebrate.

It became clear to us that we needed to restructure our organization to do justice to our range of services. So we bundled our core competencies in the development and distribution of our own products under the new parent company: from then on, we would no longer operate as Gerhard Schützinger Labor-Schütz, but simply as Schützinger GmbH.

We consolidated the very extensive area of commercial agencies into the subsidiary Schützinger Handelsvertretung GmbH.

This year, Michael Schützinger also decides to withdraw from operational business. A suitable successor was found within the company's own ranks the following year. Ursula Hansjosten has been at the helm of the company since 2015. We are proud that after Elisabeth Schützinger, another strong woman is helping to guide the company's fortunes.

While COVID-19 is paralyzing life around the world and pushing digitalization forward, AI is entering our lives and showing us one thing: Pantha rhei – everything flows. Everything is in a state of constant change.

And in times like these, it makes sense to remember your roots and reflect on your core values.

That's what we did, too.

In 2022, JUNG took over the Schützinger commercial representation, and since then we have been focusing on our core values.

In 2026, we look forward to celebrating our 75th anniversary with a new, clear image. This year in particular, we are celebrating the things that have defined us since 1951: We are approachable. We remain steady. We’ve got a spirit of innovation.