History
billerbeck celebrates 100 years of sleeping culture: 1921–2021
We have an exciting century of sleeping culture under our belts. Because for 100 years now, developing bedding that supports the best possible sleeping culture has been the focus of our business.
In 1921 billerbeck began manufacturing fully handmade quilts. Since then, the billerbeck family business has developed into a medium-sized global market leader that manufactures its high-quality products at three specialised production sites in Germany, Hungary and Switzerland.
For generations, we have successfully produced bedding of excellent quality with a great deal of craftsmanship and technical knowledge.
As a truly international bedding manufacturer, the billerbeck brand will continue to stand for a variety of high-quality bedding products in the future that stay true to our company philosophy A GOOD DAY BEGINS AT NIGHT®.
Discover the detailed billerbeck company history in this PDF:
Germany – Company history
1921
Company founded in Wuppertal
On 22 March 1921, Paul Dültgen and Heinrich Billerbeck founded the Rheinische Daunen-Decken Fabrik Dültgen & Billerbeck in Wuppertal.
1932
Quality standard
From the very beginning, the quality of the products took centre stage. Every step from processing raw materials through to the finished product are carried out in within the company. The company successfully sets itself apart from the competition through its outstanding product authenticity. The “Rein” trademark introduced at that time underlines this and sets the standard for the entire industry.
Image: Gerd Billerbeck, son of the company founder Heinrich Billerbeck, and a production worker checking the raw material.
1955
billerbeck Austria
Branch established under the name Reforma-Werke Wien on August 1, 1955.
1956
Kraichtal branch
To shorten the delivery routes, planning began in the mid-fifties for the company’s own production factory for southern Germany. The current Kraichtal-Münzesheim location turned out to be an ideal location and so a factory was opened here on August 20, 1956. Today, the site is the headquarters of billerbeck Betten-Union.
1957
billerbeck Switzerland
Another location was founded in Basel in 1957. billerbeck Schweiz AG is now based in Fischbach-Göslikon near Zurich.
In addition to the billerbeck core range, billerbeck Switzerland also sells high-quality bedding products under the Dauny brand. The Dauny brand has become an established name in the Swiss market and remains the market leader.
billerbeck Schweiz AG still represents an important part of the billerbeck Group today.
1968
Major fire in Wuppertal
On 13 December 1968, a major fire destroyed large parts of production facilities at the billerbeck headquarters in Wuppertal. The damage was so severe that the company decided against rebuilding these sections in Wuppertal and instead continued to expand the Kraichtal-Münzesheim site. In 1981, production at the Wuppertal site was eventually discontinued altogether.
1984
billerbeck Sleep & Health Foundation
At the beginning of the 1920s, the company’s founders were already heavily involved in researching healthy sleep. In collaboration with various institutes, scientists and doctors, billerbeck made great strides the field of sleep research and played a significant role in the development of sleeping habits and modern-day bedding. On 25 June 1984, the billerbeck Sleep & Health Foundation® was established in recognition of the decades of research work.
1986
billerbeck Japan
The Japanese subsidiary billerbeck K.K. was founded in November 1986 and the company thus paved the way for sales on the Asian continent.
1989
billerbeck Hungary
With the expansion of the down quilt production, the location in Hungary ended up being the best choice for the purchasing high-quality down and feathers: in 1989, a cooperative partnership led to the establishment of billerbeck kft. Budapest. Through regular investment in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, the location has become an outstanding example of producing the finest down bedding.
2011
Medium-sized world market leader for bedding
In November 2011, billerbeck was awarded the Hidden Champions Certificate by Prof. Hermann Simon as a medium-sized global market leader in the bedding segment.
2013
Hidden Champion
On 25 April 2013, the new channel n-tv awarded billerbeck the prestigious Hidden Champions Award.
2014
billerbeck Home Collection
The billerbeck Home Collection brand was established and thus the product range was expanded to include mattresses and bed frames or slatted frames. With these new additions, billerbeck started to offer a complete range of bedding to provide everything you need for healthy sleep.
2015
billerbeck Home Stores
In 2015, the first two flagship stores opened under the name billerbeck Home Stores in Kraichtal and Stuttgart. These stores have everything you need to make your home comfortable. In addition to a wide selection of bedding such as blankets, pillows and neck support pillows, there are also mattresses and bed frames to provide the complete package for a comfortable bedroom.
2016
Organic segment
Having introduced a strictly organic range, billerbeck was carrying out pioneering work in the bedding segment. Only natural materials grown under or livestock raised under controlled natural conditions are used. The GOTS certified organic range, which is manufactured using resource-friendly production methods, includes duvets, pillows and neck support pillows as well as a topper and a mattress.
2019
Corporate Social Responsibility
Companies assume Corporate Social Responsibility by integrating social issues and environmental protection into their business activities on a voluntary basis. For billerbeck, this means responsible business conduct that goes beyond purely legal requirements. Naturally, we believe in active and conscious management along the value chain, with respect for employees, customers, suppliers and give careful consideration to the environment, nature and animals.
2019
“GRETA®” down range gets Blue Angel certification
The GRETA® series is another significant milestone in billerbeck’s commitment to sustainability. This range has proudly carried the German government’s Blue Angel eco-label certification since 2019.
2020
Environmental Management Certificate DIN ISO 14001
We have high standards when it comes to sustainability, climate and environmental protection. This is also evidenced by the internationally recognised environmental management certificate DIN ISO 14001, which means that we meet the highest ecological and climate-relevant standards.
2021
billerbeck celebrates 100 years of sleep culture
An exciting century of sleep culture lies behind us. Because for 100 years, the development of bedding for the highest sleep culture has been at the heart of everything we do.
In 1921, billerbeck began manufacturing quilts purely by hand. Since then, the family business has developed into a medium-sized global market leader that manufactures its high-quality bedding at three specialised production sites in Germany, Hungary and Switzerland.
Switzerland – Company history
1922
Jakob Müller-Imhoof founded the bedding factory Müller-Imhoof AG in Zurich-Altstetten.
1934
Founding member of the Swiss Bedding Manufacturer’s Association (VSB).
1957
billerbeck International AG Scheiz founded in Basel. Currently based in Fischbach-Göslikon near Zurich.
1971
A new sleeping culture “Nordic Sleeping” took off. Sleeping without a top sheet and woollen blanket became the norm.
1973
Company expansion in Fischbach-Göslikon, AG.
1984
After decades of research, the billerbeck Sleep and Health® foundation was established.
1989
Inception of the Dauny brand at Lenzburg Castle.
1995
Max Müller sold Müller-Imhoof to the Valora Group (Merkur AG). Merger with the billerbeck Group.
2000
Bud label licence agreement with Bio Suisse for the “Magic Millet” product group.
2001
Valora sold the Slumberland Group to the Hilding Anders Group (Sweden).
2010
Opening of the factory shop at the production location in Fischbach-Göslikon.
2017
Downpass and Responsible Down Standard certification, these two quality seals guarantee transparency and traceability in the down supply chain.
2019
Everything to do with sleeping: the billerbeck Home Store. Experience a new way of sleeping – in the newly designed billerbeck experience at the production location in Fischbach-Göslikon.
2019
Relaunch of the SWISS DREAM brand by billerbeck – Swiss quality without any compromises, down duvets and pillows.
2020
Presentation of the billerbeck PERFORMANCE range, the most effective and functional bedding range in Switzerland.
Hungary – Company history
1981
billerbeck Betten Union GmbH. The owner, Gerd Billerbeck, showed interest in Hungarian goose feathers and down and thus also in the Budapest Garment Company, where he had been producing quilts and cushions since 1977.
1982
The first long-term cooperation agreement was signed in April.
1984
billerbeck products were sold for the first time in Hungary in the Skála metro in Budapest, introducing the brand name and unparalleled quality. In addition, Hungarian customers were benefiting from about 60 years of experience in sleep research.
1985
Hungary’s first billerbeck specialist shop was opened at 71 József körút.
1990
billerbeck Budapest Kft. started trading on 1 January.
1996
Opening of two more brand stores in Budapest.