About us
Simone and Andreas Schardt
Quality, sustainability, customer focus, and customer satisfaction have always been top priorities for Simone Schardt. With this attitude, she quickly established herself as a reliable business partner in the male-dominated industry after joining management in 2001. She has been managing the company since 2018, together with her husband, Andreas Schardt, also a long-time employee of the company. Both have since set the course for a successful future for Metall Schulz KG. Simone and Andreas Schardt often go the extra mile for their customers and think further than just “to the curb.” Good team cohesion and proper training in wholesale and foreign trade management and warehouse logistics are also highly valued by the Schardts so that trainees are accepted into the tradition-rich company family on a long-term basis whenever possible. And always right in the middle of the action: Lana, our furry Feelgood Manager, who keeps the company in check.
Simone and Andreas Schardt
Quality, sustainability, customer focus, and customer satisfaction have always been top priorities for Simone Schardt. With this attitude, she quickly established herself as a reliable business partner in the male-dominated industry after joining management in 2001. She has been managing the company since 2018, together with her husband, Andreas Schardt, also a long-time employee of the company. Both have since set the course for a successful future for Metall Schulz KG. Simone and Andreas Schardt often go the extra mile for their customers and think further than just “to the curb.” Good team cohesion and proper training in wholesale and foreign trade management and warehouse logistics are also highly valued by the Schardts so that trainees are accepted into the tradition-rich company family on a long-term basis whenever possible. And always right in the middle of the action: Lana, our furry Feelgood Manager, who keeps the company in check.
Our History
May 1905
Fritz Schulz (image 1), Martin Schulz’s grandfather, founds Friederichs & Schulz in Nuremberg with export merchant Carl W. Friederichs. In addition to selling kitchen utensils and brass weights, the company also takes over the representation of the Leipzig brass works Hugo Schneider AG. As a result, brass rods and sheets are sold as a wholesale business.
1919
After the First World War, the company separates from Carl W. Friederichs and takes the name Fritz Schulz – continuing to trade products from Hugo Schneider. The term “Messing-Schulz” quickly becomes established.
1923
Hyperinflation, as a late consequence of the First World War, brings the company to the brink of bankruptcy and makes a complete rebuild necessary.
1931
The still-young Herbert Schulz (image 2) joins his father’s company and has to familiarize himself with the business quickly due to his father’s heart condition.
1934
The trading business is transferred from Fritz Schulz to his son Herbert, thus separating the agency and wholesale business following the regulations of the time. The company name is now: Herbert Schulz, Metallgroßhandlung.
02.01.1945
The company becomes a victim of the air raids on Nuremberg during the Second World War.
1946
Herbert Schulz and his wife Elly begin to rebuild the company with an office in their apartment.
27.05.1947
Company founder Fritz Schulz passes away. The Herbert Schulz company continues as a wholesaler of semi-finished metal products, metal haberdashery, scales, and weights.
1950
Move to new business premises in Geisseestrasse together with the company Hille & Müller, Düsseldorf
1955
Expansion of office and warehouse space, discontinuation of metal haberdashery, scales and weights business lines
1961
Elly Schulz leaves the company after years of joint development work.
1969
Construction of larger office and storage facilities at Horneckerweg, reorganization of the warehouse program, and more vital specialization in nickel-silver semi-finished products.
1970
Martin Schulz (image 3), son of the owner Fritz Schulz, joins his father’s company.
1976
Conversion of the sole proprietorship into a family limited partnership with Herbert Schulz as general partner and the following limited partners:Elly Schulz (wife), Margot Messelhäußer, née Schulz (daughter) and Martin Schulz (son)
1982
After the recession year 1981, the business situation improves significantly—the export of nickel silver semis gains in importance. Herbert Schulz gradually retires from business.
02.03.1989
Herbert Schulz passes away at the age of 77—continuation of the family company with Martin Schulz as general partner.
10.01.1993
Limited partner Elly Schulz passes away. With the partners, Margot Messelhäußer and Martin Schulz, the tradition of a pure family business is continued.
2001
Long-time employee Mrs. Simone Hajok (image 4) joins as a limited partner and supports Martin Schulz in the management as an authorized signatory.
2005
Metall Schulz KG celebrates its 100th anniversary and heads to a successful future.
16.06.2007
Marriage of Simone Schardt (née Hajok) and Anreas Schardt (image 6)
01.03.2014
Simone Schardt moves to the general partner position and runs the company with Martin Schulz (image 5).
23.12.2017
Martin Schulz passes away at the age of 65 – Simone Schardt continues the management of the company
13.09.2018
Andreas Schardt (image 6), a long-time employee, and husband of Simone Schardt, takes over the shares of Martin Schulz and joins the company as a limited partner and authorized signatory.
