Over 100 Years of Umbrellas in the Goebel Family
The EBERHARD GOEBEL GMBH+CO.KG family has been developing and producing special umbrellas for various areas for over 100 years. The continuous introduction of new product ideas in connection with the highest quality of materials, perfect workmanship as well as good and functional design are still the philosophy of the company today.
First Generation
The founder of the company "Schirm-Goebel", Mr.
Richard Goebel, was born in Dresden in 1887. After finishing school and
his umbrella making apprenticeship he left his hometown as a young
journeyman and moved abroad. Through his work in well-known umbrella
factories, such as in Kassel, St. Gallen, Zurich, Geneva, he acquired
extensive specialist knowledge and finally took over the position of a
foreman in the branch of a Stuttgart umbrella factory in Ulm.
The outbreak of the 1st World War interrupted his professional career. He was called up for military service. Towards the end of the war he was admitted with severe gas poisoning to a military hospital in Ulm.
After
his recovery he founded the company "Schirm-Goebel" and the first shop
in Ulm on 1 July 1919. With a great deal of hard work and idealism, he
continued to expand his business during the difficult post-war period
and was able to gradually open further branches in the Ulm and Neu-Ulm
areas.
At the beginning the umbrella production was only for own needs. After a short time, and due to various exhibitions at sample fairs, the production was expanded and "Schirm-Goebel" delivered to umbrella shops all over Germany and now and then abroad.
The political development in Germany brought in the following time a drastic turn for the whole umbrella industry. In the course of the uniforms the umbrella was frowned upon, especially among men. Also "Schirm-Goebel" suffered a lot from this. The production was changed back to own use and most of the branches were given up. At the beginning of the thirties there was only one big shop in Ulm.
During the air raid on Ulm in the 2nd World War on 17 December 1944, the building with the last shop was destroyed. Like many, the company was faced with ruin.
The untiring creative spirit of the founder did not give up. Under the last effort of his health he started anew - carried by the sense of responsibility towards his loyal and long-time employees and towards his family. With the help of his whole personality he succeeded in rebuilding the company "Schirm-Goebel" - now as the leading umbrella shop in the city. However, the years of building up the company had sapped his strength. On 24 July 1954, the founder of the company died of a severe heart disease at the age of 66 years. Since then, the business has been run by his widow Emma Goebel - who had been in the business for 30 years - and his son Eberhard in the spirit of the founder. A further branch was opened in Ulm.
At the beginning the umbrella production was only for own needs. After a short time, and due to various exhibitions at sample fairs, the production was expanded and "Schirm-Goebel" delivered to umbrella shops all over Germany and now and then abroad.
The political development in Germany brought in the following time a drastic turn for the whole umbrella industry. In the course of the uniforms the umbrella was frowned upon, especially among men. Also "Schirm-Goebel" suffered a lot from this. The production was changed back to own use and most of the branches were given up. At the beginning of the thirties there was only one big shop in Ulm.
During the air raid on Ulm in the 2nd World War on 17 December 1944, the building with the last shop was destroyed. Like many, the company was faced with ruin.
The untiring creative spirit of the founder did not give up. Under the last effort of his health he started anew - carried by the sense of responsibility towards his loyal and long-time employees and towards his family. With the help of his whole personality he succeeded in rebuilding the company "Schirm-Goebel" - now as the leading umbrella shop in the city. However, the years of building up the company had sapped his strength. On 24 July 1954, the founder of the company died of a severe heart disease at the age of 66 years. Since then, the business has been run by his widow Emma Goebel - who had been in the business for 30 years - and his son Eberhard in the spirit of the founder. A further branch was opened in Ulm.
Second Generation
In 1980, Emma Goebel died shortly before the main branch was reopened
after it had been completely renovated. In addition to umbrellas,
Eberhard Goebel also specialized in high-quality leather goods from Italy
and luggage - partly with his own designs and creations.
In 1982/83, Eberhard Goebel expanded his sales activities and supplied a large drugstore chain in the region with umbrellas. A short time later Eberhard Goebel set off for Asia to establish connections to umbrella manufacturers, some of which still exist today. Other major customers were added, including the largest drugstore chain in Europe - and in each of the more than 1,000 branches there was a fully stocked display with umbrellas from Eberhard Goebel. Additional warehouses were rented as well as a new office building. In 1989, the company EBERHARD GOEBEL GMBH+CO. was founded. In addition to drugstore, department store and shoe store chains, customers from the premium sector were added, such as well-known German automobile companies. Daughter Eva joined the company to actively support her father, and in 1999 the company moved into its own large office and warehouse building, which still serves as the company headquarters today.
In 1982/83, Eberhard Goebel expanded his sales activities and supplied a large drugstore chain in the region with umbrellas. A short time later Eberhard Goebel set off for Asia to establish connections to umbrella manufacturers, some of which still exist today. Other major customers were added, including the largest drugstore chain in Europe - and in each of the more than 1,000 branches there was a fully stocked display with umbrellas from Eberhard Goebel. Additional warehouses were rented as well as a new office building. In 1989, the company EBERHARD GOEBEL GMBH+CO. was founded. In addition to drugstore, department store and shoe store chains, customers from the premium sector were added, such as well-known German automobile companies. Daughter Eva joined the company to actively support her father, and in 1999 the company moved into its own large office and warehouse building, which still serves as the company headquarters today.
Third Generation
Son Felix joined the company in 2005 after successfully completing his
business administration studies at the University of Münster with a
degree in business administration. As joint managing directors, Eberhard
and Felix Goebel continued to run the company from 2013, numerous
private labels and new developments were added and a broad customer base
with distributors worldwide was gradually developed. Since 2019, Felix
Goebel has been the sole managing director.
During the last years, the term "umbrella" was redefined. For sports and leisure time special umbrellas are developed using the latest generation of materials: high-quality plastic, glass fibre, polyester combinations as well as innovative fabric types. The advantages of these new materials are high stability, corrosion resistance and comfortable lightness.
Today, the product range is extremely broad and ranges from simple give-aways to the highest quality top product. Specially handmade umbrellas from the upper classical range are also part of the extensive range. EBERHARD GOEBEL GMBH+CO. KG has established itself especially with umbrellas for golf and outdoor use and has made a name for itself worldwide with the brands BIRDIEPAL and EUROSCHIRM, which stand for highest quality and top design.
During the last years, the term "umbrella" was redefined. For sports and leisure time special umbrellas are developed using the latest generation of materials: high-quality plastic, glass fibre, polyester combinations as well as innovative fabric types. The advantages of these new materials are high stability, corrosion resistance and comfortable lightness.
Today, the product range is extremely broad and ranges from simple give-aways to the highest quality top product. Specially handmade umbrellas from the upper classical range are also part of the extensive range. EBERHARD GOEBEL GMBH+CO. KG has established itself especially with umbrellas for golf and outdoor use and has made a name for itself worldwide with the brands BIRDIEPAL and EUROSCHIRM, which stand for highest quality and top design.
