Gore and Schöffel - Partners in Success

Writing history together

Proud award winner: Peter Schöffel receives the "Gore Company Loyalty Award" from Dr. Heinrich Flik, Gore Managing Director.

The secret is based on just four letters: PTFE. They stand for polytetrafluorethylene - and for an innovation, which has conquered the world. The material PTFE is the basis for all Gore products which began the success story, in the year 1958. One of the chapters was co-written by Schöffel, for just like Dr. Wilbert L. Gore, who founded the company in 1958. W.L. Gore found ways in 1969, of making PTFE windproof and waterproof, as well as breathable, through the process known as wringing. Hubert Schöffel also recognized the possibilities offered by the new material at a very early stage. As the first person in Germany to do so, he placed his faith in Gore over twenty years ago and together these pioneering partners were on to a winner. Each innovative in his own field and engaged in a constant exchange of experience and ideas, they conquered their markets.

Every reason for the house of Gore, on the occasion of the 25th jubilee of GORE-TEX® fabrics, to present its partner Schöffel with the "Gore Company Loyalty Award". "Without the pioneering work and the innovative elan of such well-known manufacturers as Schöffel", they explain "this jubilee would never have come about." Even today, innovations are still being developed hand in hand. The best example is AIRVANTAGE TM, the revolutionary insulation system from Gore, which is now being used for the first time in Schöffel jackets." The story of our success", Dr. Heinrich Flik, Managing Director of Gore Germany, is quite adamant, "will continue with the next generations of owners and managers." The best example is Peter Schöffel, who is carefully continuing with his father's life's work. "GORE-TEX® Laminates have revolutionised the world of clothing," he explains "and we were one of the main driving forces behind this peaceful revolution in Germany. A fact in which we take a little pride." Nowadays, and following many further innovative Gore developments, Schöffel's march of victory is by no means limited to Germany and its German-speaking neighbours- the Schöffel brand is by now well known throughout Europe.

Gore - a strong brand that has achieved world fame. An achievement which owes much to strong partners