Schiesser
Delta Galil Industries · Germany
Schiesser is a German underwear and sleepwear brand founded in 1875 in Radolfzell on Lake Constance. After insolvency in 2009 and a successful relaunch, it was taken over by the Israeli intimate apparel group Delta Galil Industries.
| Founded | 1875, Radolfzell |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jacques Schiesser |
| Owner | Delta Galil Industries |
| Headquarters | Radolfzell, Germany |
| Segment | Underwear and sleepwear |
| Website | schiesser.com |
What is Schiesser?
Schiesser is one of Germany's best-known underwear brands. It makes underwear, sleepwear, loungewear and related products for women, men and children, and is headquartered in Radolfzell on Lake Constance, where it was founded.
History
The company was founded on 1 October 1875 by the Swiss manufacturer Jacques Schiesser and his wife Malwine, who began producing hosiery on nine circular knitting frames. Production moved into its own factory in Radolfzell in 1876. By 1913 the company employed more than 1,200 people, and by 1960 around 3,500. In the 1970s it expanded into garments and in the 1990s into a European group.
Schiesser filed for insolvency in 2009. The proceedings were lifted at the end of 2010, after which management relaunched the brand and returned it to profitability. The turnaround led to its takeover by Delta Galil Industries, the Israeli lingerie and hosiery group. The brand celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025.
Products and positioning
Schiesser is positioned as a quality basics brand in the middle market. Its range includes:
- Underwear for women, men and children, including fine rib classics
- Sleepwear and loungewear
- Swimwear, socks and tights
- Schiesser Living home textiles such as bed linen, towels and bathrobes
Newer lines include microfibre underwear and period underwear.
Business model and distribution
Schiesser follows a multichannel approach that combines its own stores, including a flagship on Berlin's Kurfürstendamm, specialist and department store retail, and e-commerce. The company also works with licences and sells products of partner brands through its channels.
Why it matters
Schiesser is a well-documented case of a heritage brand recovering from insolvency and then being integrated into an international group. Under Delta Galil it gives the owner a strong foothold in the German-speaking underwear market, one of the largest in Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Schiesser?
Schiesser is owned by Delta Galil Industries, an Israeli group specialising in underwear, lingerie and hosiery. Delta Galil took over the brand after its relaunch following the 2009 insolvency.
Where is Schiesser from?
Schiesser is a German brand founded in 1875 in Radolfzell on Lake Constance by the Swiss manufacturer Jacques Schiesser. The company is still headquartered there.