Over the years, the company has revolutionized its existing plants by acquiring new ones and rising to become a world leader in the industry
From 1867 to the present, Schelling’s journey has been long but full of innovation. The company, which is engaged in the manufacture of gauze belts, was founded in Baveno, Verbania (where its only headquarters is still located today) by the Swiss Giovanni Schelling. In 1912 it was sold for lack of heirs and was acquired first by the Sallman family and then, in the 1960s and 1970s, by Rinaldo and Alessandro Pagani, who were succeeded by their son Daniele, the current owner.
What is your target industry?
«We operate in the mechanical-textile sector by producing seals, or elastic tapes with steel tips used to ennoble fabrics. The elastic gasket has a base that can be made of felt or rubber into which steel wire is inserted, creating, after appropriate processing, metal tips that have different heights and different working angles. The purpose of ennobling fabrics is to extract hair from raw fabrics making them soft to the touch and more comfortable. These gauzers are designed for shuttle, knitted, warp-knitted fabrics made from woolen, cotton, and synthetic fibers. What we do can be related to multiple areas: that of technical sportswear, car interiors and furnishings, and even pet products. Our technicians specialize in garmenting cylinders of customers located all over the world».
Today Schelling 1867 exports virtually 90 percent of its products to more than 35 countries. This is possible thanks to stocks at qualified distributors in various parts of the world, and thanks to just-in-time (an industrial philosophy related to the production of finished items for stock waiting to be sold quickly without long waits by customers) and, last but not least, excellent technical service. Technicians specialize in gartering cylinders from customers located all over the world.
Until the 1980s the market was mainly Italian, then thanks to the intuition and resourcefulness of Alessandro Pagani it expanded first to Europe, consolidating in the second half of the 1990s and, finally, since the 2000s, gradually around the world, with the entry of his son Daniele and his enthusiasm.
Among your strengths are raw materials and the specialization of employees…
«Our strengths are undoubtedly raw materials because we have always chosen Italian and European suppliers with whom we cooperate on a daily basis. In addition, our employees and collaborators are highly specialized. It takes at least four or five years to complete the training of our staff. That is why we always focus on bringing in young people who, after a careful period of shadowing experienced technicians, are essential to give our company the right future perspective. The input of new motivated human resources ensures, together with the team of technicians with many years of experience, a fundamental and essential dynamism in order to enthusiastically cope with the demands coming from new markets thus strengthening our presence in those that have been acquired for quite some time».
What are the company’s future plans?
«Innovations in our field take place by working closely with the manufacturers of the gauzing machines because, partly because of the need to keep costs down, fabrics are constantly changing, new fibers are being added, and they are being transformed with the use of increasingly regenerated components. The type of machinery undergoes changes and consequently so do our products, which need to be more durable. As an internal goal, we would like to consolidate ourselves in the markets we have entered only in the last few years, strengthening even more our technical support and product readiness».
The company also pays attention to the issue of sustainability and in fact recently completed the installation of solar panels. Schelling is a company that will not stop facing the future with passion, tenacity and principles passed down from generation to generation. In this way, it will be able to continue to ensure healthy and prosperous work in its industry.
