Quality from the Blade City – Quality for the bakery trade! – since 1884

We support the Obus-Museum!

For almost 60 years busses with electric overhead contact lines, called “Obus” are driving through Solingen as counterpart of tramways in many European cities. The “Obus-Museum” takes care of and informs about the history of this form…

We support “Bread against Misery”!

As a business owner, we are always happy when we can support projects with donations, gifts or personal engagement that either have something to do with our city Solingen, our industry or the bakery trade. The "Bread against Misery" Foundation…

We rely on sustainability!

Since we moved into our new location in February 2013, we wanted to improve our own sustainability. To build and restore our new buildings based on ecological expertise was just the first step. In summer 2014 we put a big solar energy…

The right way to cut bread!

To properly cut bread it is best to use a bread knife with a blade that is at least one quarter longer than the loaf is wide. This is the only way to produce a clean, unfrayed cut. If you want to cut extremely fresh bread, it is recommended…

Our product series

We fulfil your requirements – serially

Satisfied customers for over 130 years

Tradition obliges

Sale from stock

Since 02.13.2016 our new showroom is open. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:00 we are here for you! PDF to offer!

Present Service

We will take care of the shipment of gifts or gift combinations to your customers in your name – whether single shipments or from a customer mailing list.

Special Products

We work with you to design special products whether it is an individual gift or a production ready series.

About Emil Schmidt

We have succeeded for over 130 years in producing products based on the motto “Quality for the bakery trade”. Our customers appreciate this high standard as shown by the many years of loyalty they have given us.

Emil Schmidt was founded in 1884 in “Wald by Solingen” and initially produced cutlery and sold it to the town’s blacksmiths as well as hardware and household goods shops. Around 1900 “Baker purchasing cooperatives” were added to the customer base.

Emil Schmidt’s son, Paul, took over the company after World War I. Production was stopped during the Second World War and restarted in 1950.

For health and age-related reasons, Paul Schmidt sold the company in 1964 to the couple Rolf and Sonja Kirschner. Mr. Kirschner had worked several years in the metalworking field and brought with him professional expertise.

The couple, and at times their son and daughter, put all their energy into the company from the start. As a “typical family business” four family members and another five employees are still working for the company.

At the start of the company takeover there were approximately 60 different items offered which has expanded over time to about 700 specialty articles for the bakery and confectionery trade as well as many promotional items.

After completing specialized training, Mr. Rigo Kirschner joined the company on 1 July 1981 representing the second Kirschner generation. Emil Schmidt GmbH was founded on 1 July 1993 under the joint supervision of father and son.

Since January 2008 Stefan Kirschner has been representing the third generation in the company as an executive assistant. After completing his Business Administration studies he became second management director next to his father Rigo Kirschner. Rolf Kirschner is now in well-deserved retirement. In the future the company will be lead by the 3rd Generation of the Kirschner family.

In 2013 the company moved into the new location and started its sustainability project with a big solar energy plant and e-mobility. New production technologies, more efficient series production and optimized manufacturing processes lay the foundation for the continuation of our high standards: “Quality from Solingen, the blade city – Quality for the bakery trade!”

  • 1884 – Company founded by Emil Schmidt

  • 1918 – Takeover by Paul Schmidt after the First World War

  • 1950 – Production resumed after the war

  • 1964 – Sale of the company to Mr and Mrs Rolf Kirschner

  • 1981 – Rigo Kirschner joined the company

  • 1993 – Under the direction of father and son, the company became a GmbH

  • 2013 - Moving to the Katternberger Staße

  • 2013 – Stefan Kirschner became officially second CEO