History

Who is biberna?

biberna is the bedding brand of H.u.W. Schmänk GmbH & Co. KG, a family-owned company founded in 1932 in Hamminkeln (North Rhine-Westphalia). The company develops, weaves and finishes its bedding on site – led by the third and fourth generations of Ludwig and Maximilian Schmänk.

What makes biberna the inventor of Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel)?

In 1968, biberna developed the eponymous Flannel quality: densely woven, brushed cotton for maximum warmth in winter. Since then, biberna has been one of the leading manufacturers of this category of bedding in Germany. Find out more about the quality in the Flannel Bedding Guide.

Family tradition since 1932

The history of biberna began in 1932 in Hamminkeln on the Lower Rhine. Over generations, a small contract weaving mill has grown into a modern bedding manufacturer with its own weaving, finishing and processing facilities – still “Made in Germany” and family-run.

Milestones in the company’s history

  • 1932 – Josef Schmänk founded a small contract weaving mill in Hamminkeln, Dingden district.
  • 1938 – Production of brushed bedding; the weaving mill employed 20 people.
  • 1945 – Heinz and Walter Schmänk joined the management.
  • 1950 – Construction of a new production facility.
  • 1958 – The weaving mill was equipped with completely new looms.
  • 1960 – Registration of the brand names “biberna”, “Frauenlob” and “Flanessa”.
  • 1968 – Development of Flannel bedding.
  • 1974 – Further expansion of operations.
  • 1983 – Hans-Jürgen Schmänk, son of Heinz Schmänk, joined the company.
  • 1986 – Ludwig Schmänk, son of Walter Schmänk, joined the company.
  • 1992 – Expansion of the warehouse.
  • 1997 – Construction and expansion of office space.
  • 2000 – Participation in EXPO 2000 in Hannover.
  • 2001 – Acquisition of the TOM TAILOR “Bed” license.
  • 2005 – Expansion of the product range with microfiber qualities.
  • 2009 – Tobias Schmänk joined the company; acquisition of the TOM TAILOR “Bath” terry towel license.
  • 2010 – Installation of a photovoltaic system for the use of renewable energy.
  • 2011 – Investment in a SANFOR machine and a room-machine system, each with a working width of 3.2 m.
  • 2013 – Investment in fully automatic finishing equipment for pillows and bedding with guaranteed zippers.
  • 2017 – Investment in a new generation of looms; 85th anniversary.
  • 2021 – Maximilian Schmänk joined the company

Today

Led by Ludwig Schmänk and his son Maximilian, around 80 employees develop biberna bedding at the Hamminkeln site – in the third and fourth generations and with the aim that every set meets the same quality standards as the very first one in 1932.