When Stefan Schindler set up business in Krasna Lipa in 1854 making knit stockings, he may not have realized the company he founded would last until today. It is the oldest stocking maker in continuous operation in the country and has served customers around the world. What does it look like? We came to have a look.

The factory is reminiscent of the well-known Bata factory in Zlin, a Functionalist building dating from the first half of the last century. And at the entry, visitors see a punch card system dating from days of yore.

Martin Veselik, the current owner of the factory, greets us. Before we enter the kitting floor, he stops to tell us a little about the history of the local stocking industry “This knitting factory has been in continuous operation for over 165 years and in that time it has left its mark abroad as well,” says the owner. Schindler’s factory had contracts for large international firms and outfitted the Swiss postal service.

The factory also makes uniforms for secondary schools. University students can take advantage of its facilities to do their graduate work. The Technical University in Liberec and the Industrial Design School in Prague both work with the company; their students currently have a design exhibit in Krasna Lipa. Some pieces were on display on the factory premises. We were impressed by the interplay of the modern design of the student work and the Functionalist backdrop of the factory itself.

Then we had a look at the inner workings. We got to walk through the whole process of manufacture – from design, to selecting materials, processing yarn, fixing tiny flaws, adding finishing touches, and packing up the finished product. Modern Japanese technology runs alongside historical knitting machines and traditional handwork. “We are continuing the work of those who came before us and with respect to all they did we continue in it,” comments Veselik.

V případě silonek mají i tzv. zkušební kabinky, v nichž se snaží zachytit barvu silonu za každé denní i noční doby. Toho dokážou prostřednictvím malé krabice, v níž část silonek nasvítí za teplejšího či studenějšího světla. V Schnidlerově pletárně samozřejmě myslí i na zákazníky a jejich potřeby. Produkty z pletárny jsou z odlišných a hlavně z kvalitnějších materiálů než běžné oblečení z fast fashion obchodů. Vyvstává tedy otázka, jak o takové kousky pečovat a jak je prát. S tím se snaží zaměstnanci pletárny pracovat. Podle Martina Veselíka každý nový produkt klidně dvacetkrát, třicetkrát projedou pračkou a změří jeho rozměry, jestli se při praní nezměnily. „Výsledkem jsou štítky připnuté k naším produktům, které vám řeknou, že svetr vydrží ve stejném stavu, za stejných rozměrů až 2 roky,“ vysvětluje majitel.

For nylon stockings, there are testing cabins where the color of the stocking at any hour of day or night is tried. This is done with the help of a little box where the stocking is lit up with various degrees of warm to cold light. Schindler stockings think of the customer’s needs too. Products come in better quality materials that what is available through fast fashion outlets. The question arises of how to care for and launder these items. It’s an issue employees attempt to address. According to Martin Veselik, each new product is put the the washer twenty or thirty times and then measured to see if it has changed. “The result goes on the tag attached to our products, that tell you this sweater will stay in the same shape and size in two years,” he explains.

We hoped to have a peek at the company store, but we were disappointed. It was closed. Items from the Schindler knitting factory are not available in other retail shops. “For now, we only do wholesale orders. Distribution to other shops is something we may consider for the future though,” says Veselik, adding that some products are available for sale on the Woolife website. Of course, clothing made from merino wool costs a bit more, but the quality is worth it. And for anyone interested in sustainable fashion, the brand is a pleasant surprise. “Everything is our own. If any of our knit items have a defect, we just unravel it and get a ball of wool that can be used to make something else,” says the owner.

In the end, we were able to examine some of the pieces the factory makes. We have to admit, that after our tour of the knitting factory, we started to look at clothing from a different point of view. And now we value all the work that goes into a single sweater, tee shirt or even “just” a pair of stockings a bit more. Who would have thought that we have a company like this in our own back yard?

Want to learn more?

If you’d like to learn more about the operations and history of the Schindler knitting factory, there are tours available. Keep in mind that they are only scheduled occasionally – for example, when there is something going on in Krasna Lipa. If you want to arrange a group visit, contact the company directly.

The Schindler factory regularly hosts various cultural events too. Keep an eye on the Krasna Lipa website.

Schindler knit goods are among the regional products listed for Bohemian Switzerland.

The factory makes various sorts of clothing – turtlenecks, pullovers, cardigans, vests, skirts, dresses, hats and scarves, stockings, socks, leggings, and company and club uniforms.

To learn more, visit the Schindler website.