A success story – since 1802
From the founding of the company to one of the leading manufacturers of workwear - accompany us through more than 200 years of eventful GREIFF history.
Logo since 2022
2021
Jens Möller becomes sole managing director of GREIFF.
2021
GREIFF is constantly improving in terms of sustainability, and more and more sustainable raw materials are being used in the production of GREIFF clothing. Since 2021, for example, products with Tencel or SEAQUAL YARN have been added to the range.
2020
The worldwide Corona pandemic challenges GREIFF's flexibility once again. The company rises to the challenge and launches a new collection, GREIFF CARE. And once again GREIFF proves its innovative strength: GREIFF CARE is the first ,Grüner Knopf‘ certified care garment on the market.
2017
Fairtrade certified Cotton has been an integral part of GREIFF's workwear collections since February 2017.
2015
GREIFF becomes a member of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles and the Fair Wear Foundation..
2014
Sustainability has long been an issue for GREIFF internally - in 2014, the commitment also becomes more visible externally: together with other companies, GREIFF founds the MaxTex association. In the same year, the first product is certified with the OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100.
Logo from 2013 to 2021
2009
GREIFF receives the patent for the world's first industrially washable and dryable suit.
2006
Today's managing director Jens Möller takes over the company together with Hans-Peter Beck.
Logo from 2006 to 2012
Logo von 2003 bis 2005
2002
The factory outlet opens.
Logo 2002
Logo from 2000 to 2002
2000s
After the turn of the millennium, GREIFF sharpens its portfolio: sports and leisurewear has to go, the workwear lines are specified. Since 2004, the company has been concentrating on the service industry, gastronomy and the hotel industry.
1990s
Does business fashion always have to go to the dry cleaners? Thanks to GREIFF the answer is "no", because in the 1990s the company develops the first washable suit.
Logo from 1988 to 1999
1980
With its main factory in Bamberg and further specialized factories in Würzburg and Laufach near Aschaffenburg, as well as its own sales companies in London, Paris and Vienna, GREIFF is one of the most important manufacturers of men's outerwear in Germany and Europe.
However, the 1980s also brought a low point for GREIFF-WERKE. Loss-making years result in restructuring measures, a reduction in the workforce and the start of the relocation of production abroad.
1966
GREIFF-WERKE celebrates its breakthrough into the top group of the menswear industry - thanks to the youthful "modèle JEUNESSE" program. In the same year, exports to Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland begin.
Logo from 1964 to 1977
1963
In 1963, GREIFF-WERKE AG employs more than 2,000 people in three factories specializing in the individual production branches: Men's and boys' outerwear (Haka for short) was produced at the main plant in Bamberg, fashionable sports and leisurewear in Aalen, and workwear in Würzburg.
Logo from 1956 to 1963
1955
In 1955 the first GREIFF suit is produced - a milestone in the company's history.
1951
A second expansion stage of the main factory is put into operation. The number of employees at this time is 1,500.
1949
The newly built main plant in Memmelsdorfer Strasse in Bamberg was occupied by 98 employees.
1939 – 1945
All plants are lost due to the 2nd World War, only the brand name GREIFF remains. In 1945, a clearance train leaves Greiffenberg to start anew in Bamberg.
In August 1945, production of workwear in Bamberg resumed, and demand for GREIFF clothing increased again.
Logo from 1935 to 1955
1930s
The management at the time recognizes the importance of advertising and begins a promotional campaign to impress the GREIFF brand name on all textile retailers. In the trade press, GREIFF is quickly associated with good goods.
On October 1, 1933, the company is renamed GREIFF-WERKE AG, as sales of GREIFF clothing increase from year to year. From now on, the blueprint goods are outsourced to a separate company. In addition, the 1930s are marked by further developments:
In addition to high quality, "prompt delivery" becomes the second characteristic of the GREIFF brand - a service first used in the clothing industry.
Production is expanded to large-scale industrial production through the introduction of the assembly line system, and branch plants are opened in Lauban, Frankfurt/Oder, Lomnitz, Löwenberg, Bärnsdorf. Through the participation of the managing director, Dr. Winkler, in the Lauffenmühle spinning and weaving mill in Tiengen/Baden, the entire manufacturing process from fiber to finished part can be handled virtually in-house.
1910er – 1920s
Gustav Winkler, a handkerchief manufacturer from neighbouring Lauban, takes over the company in 1917. His son Helmut Winkler comes to Greiffenberg in 1923 to run the business.
The production of workwear is taken up. In addition, the company also produces leisurewear during these years.
1898
The company was renamed "Schlesische Blaudruckerei AG". The focus of production is now on blueprint piece goods and other color prints. Blueprint aprons in particular are very popular at this time.
1802
GREIFF is founded in Greiffenberg, Silesia, by Johann Gottfried Ihle - at that time still as a linen weaving and printing company and under the name "J.G. Ihle".