In short: biberna invented Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) in 1968 – the brushed cotton fabric was so distinctive that it gave the company its name. The company was founded in 1932 by Josef Schmänk as a small contract weaving mill in Hamminkeln; today it is run by the third and fourth generations. Flannel weighs around 160 g/m².
Some products have become so commonplace that hardly anyone asks where they actually come from. Fluffy, warm Flannel bedding is one of them. Yet behind it lies a fascinating history of Flannel bedding – and a family business that to this day bears the name of its most important invention: biberna. In this post, we take you back to 1932 and show you how a small weaving mill became the inventor of Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel).
1932: The beginning as a small contract weaving mill
biberna's roots go back to 1932. At that time, great-grandfather Josef Schmänk founded a small contract weaving mill. But the real driving force was great-grandmother, whose conviction laid the foundation: "We cannot live by farming alone; something extra must happen." This entrepreneurial courage gave rise to a company that already employed around 20 people in 1938.
Then came the war, which slowed the young company's progress. But the family did not give up. After the war, grandfather Walter Schmänk joined the business with his brother Heinz – and from that moment on, things began to look up.
Growth through investment: Weaving and new machinery
What set biberna apart from the very beginning was its willingness to continuously invest in its own production. New manufacturing facilities were built in 1950, followed by the expansion of the weaving mill with modern looms in 1958. In this way, the company laid the foundation for a high level of vertical integration that still makes the difference today.
Early on, the first brand names such as biberna (deliberately written in lowercase), Frauenlob and Flanessa were established. But one innovation would outshine them all and give the company its name.
The invention of Flannel bedding – the origin of the history of Flannel bedding
The most important innovation in the company's history was the invention of Flannel bedding. This particularly warm, brushed fabric was so distinctive that it was directly reflected in the brand name: "Flannel" became biberna. To this day, the company is considered the inventor of Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) – and is known by its customers for exactly that.
The core product Flannel impresses with a fabric weight of around 160 g/m², exceptional fluffiness and loft, and a cozy, warm feel. Since 1968, it has been the product that many people love anew every winter. You can find our current selection in the Flannel collection, and a direct comparison of the fabrics in the post Biber flannel or flannel – which is warmer?
From a classic to a culture of innovation
The invention of Flannel bedding was not an end point, but the beginning of a culture of innovation that continues to shape the company today. The expertise surrounding Flannel fabric, for example, led to the creation of Melange Flannel – developed by biberna and fully produced in Germany. We like to call it "Flannel bedding 2.0": even fluffier, softer and gentler, while providing pleasant warmth from 100% cotton. You can learn more about it in the article Melange Flannel – Flannel bedding 2.0.
biberna's Flannel expertise also pays off outside the bedroom: the knowledge gained from Flannel production now flows into technical textiles such as our stage molton. You can read here how Flannel became a stage curtain: From Flannel to stage curtain.
Original quality – now directly to you
For decades, high-quality bedding in retail was often replaced by cheaper goods for reasons of price. We take a different approach: we now offer you original quality – the same level of vertical integration and the same standards as always – directly at a fair price-performance ratio. Feel free to browse our entire bedding collection.
Frequently asked questions
Who invented Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel)?
Flannel bedding was developed by the family business behind the biberna brand. The invention was so distinctive that the fabric "Flannel" is directly reflected in the brand name biberna.
How long has biberna been around?
The story began in 1932 with the Schmänk family's small contract weaving mill. Over the decades, continuous investment in weaving and production allowed the company to grow into one of the established bedding manufacturers.
What makes Flannel bedding so warm?
Flannel is a brushed cotton fabric weighing around 160 g/m² with exceptional loft. The fine fibers trap a lot of air, providing its characteristic cozy warmth – ideal for cold nights.
In what year was Flannel bedding invented?
Flannel bedding was invented by biberna in 1968. The company was founded in 1932, when Josef Schmänk started the contract weaving mill in Hamminkeln. There were therefore more than three decades of development between the company's founding and the invention that gave it its name.
Is biberna still run as a family business?
Yes. biberna is still family-owned and is now run by the third and fourth generations, currently Ludwig and Maximilian Schmänk. The company was founded in 1932 by Josef Schmänk in Hamminkeln; today around 80 people work there.
The most important things in brief
- biberna was founded in 1932 by Josef Schmänk as a small contract weaving mill in Hamminkeln.
- The company invented the eponymous Flannel bedding in 1968 – the fabric Flannel became the brand name biberna.
- biberna's Flannel weighs around 160 g/m², has exceptional loft, and has been the company's core product since 1968.
- New manufacturing facilities were built in 1950, followed by the expansion of the weaving mill in 1958 – the foundation of its high level of vertical integration.
- The Flannel expertise later led to the creation of Mélange Flannel and technical textiles such as stage molton.
The history of Flannel bedding shows: those who innovate boldly and invest in quality create products that last for generations. We are pleased to continue this tradition for you.
