About us
Welcome to Schlüter-Systems – your experts for tried and tested system solutions for the installation of tiles and natural stone.
From Schiene to market leader
In 1966, the young master tiler Werner Schlüter founded a new company in Saerbeck, Germany which has since made a name for itself worldwide as Schlüter-Systems. Only two years after the company was founded, Werner Schlüter relocated to Iserlohn, where the company headquarters are still located today. Fast forward to today and there are now international offices and further subsidiaries in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France and Turkey.
It all started with an idea...
During a construction project in the mid-1970s, Werner Schlüter was faced with the challenge of neatly laying Florentine mosaic tiles in a bathroom. The exposed tile edges were prone to chipping and breaking.
Werner Schlüter came to the conclusion that a metal L-shaped bracket, applied before the tiles were laid, would not only serve as an edge protector but also conceal the unglazed edge and create a straight and clean transition to the adjoining surfaces.
A suitable product was not yet on the market at the time, so with the help of a toolmaker friend, he developed the first tile profile: Schlüter-SCHIENE was patented and launched on the market.
A comprehensive product range
To date, several hundred million linear metres of Schlüter-SCHIENE have been installed by tilers all over the world. Since the invention of SCHIENE, the product range has steadily expanded and today includes over 12,000 products, which are divided into the following areas:
Always ready to help
Our company ethos is: "Our products cannot be sold, they must be understood." This motto underlines the focus on education through our dedicated training courses. In these courses, we get hands-on with our products to demonstrate their benefits and how they can be used to achieve long-lasting tile and stone installations.
We work with everyone involved in a project including distributors, showrooms, tilers, architects, contractors and specifiers to provide the best possible customer service.
From product suitability and CAD drawings to checking general planning and on-site support: at Schlüter-Systems we are happy to assist you at any time during your project.
Timeline of company history
Company is founded and relocated
Werner Schlüter opens his company, Fliesen-Schlüter, in Saerbeck in the Münsterland region. Tinkering and working on details resulting from daily work has been a part of life in the company from the outset.
Just two years later the young company moves to Iserlohn, where the company headquarters remains to this day.
Introduction of a classic product: Schlüter-SCHIENE
Werner Schlüter develops the Schlüter-SCHIENE and begins production and distribution of what has remained a classic to this day, in the five heights M60, M80, M100, M125 and M150 in brass.
The first SCHIENE products in aluminium and anodised aluminium enter the range just a year later – including the additional profile heights of 17.5, 20 and 22 millimetres.
Three new product ranges for different areas in one year
Three new product series are launched on the market: Schlüter-BARA for elegant covering of the edges of balcony structures, Schlüter-TREP for protection of the edges of steps and Schlüter-REMA to provide concealed access panels in tile coverings.
Developments and presentation of a new smart product solution
The attractive and functional Schlüter-JOLLY profile, in coloured coated aluminium or coloured plastic, solves the problem of unglazed tile edges on wall coverings.
And the Schlüter-SCHIENE also gets a new cross-section, a new patent and the trapezoidal hole pattern in the anchoring leg.
Division into two companies
What was previously registered as a single company, Fliesen-Schlüter, is divided into two: Schlüter-Schiene GmbH and Fliesen-Schlüter GmbH.
First subsidiary
A first own subsidiary is established as Schluter-Systems L.P. in the USA.
In the same year, Schlüter invents two more successful products
Schlüter-DITRA becomes the universal substrate for uncoupling, waterproofing and vapour pressure equalisation. Schlüter-KERDI, a plastic panel coated with fleece on both sides, establishes itself as a bonded waterproofing system for tiles and slabs on floor and wall coverings.
Foreign subsidiary in Turkey
The foreign subsidiary in Turkey is established with its headquarters in Istanbul.
Renaming, enlargement and Schlüter-RONDEC
Schlüter is now renamed Schlüter-Systems – and at the same time the company's premises grow to 6500 m2 , including new administrative and production buildings. And Schlüter-RONDEC, a finishing profile for external wall corners that is at once functional and elegant, comes onto the market.
Foreign subsidiaries in Europe
The UK subsidiary is established in Coalville, Leicestershire. And in Villeneuve sur Verberie, 30 km from Paris, the French subsidiary is founded.
Italian subsidiary
Schlüter-Systems also establishes an own subsidiary at Fiorano Modenese near Maranello in Italy.
Specialist training
The company creates a space with its own communications and training centre for events and seminars for customers, partners and employees.
New company structure
Schlüter-Systems is restructured and becomes Schlüter-Systems KG.
Schlüter-KERDI-COLL and DITRA-DRAIN
The waterproofing range is completed with Schlüter-KERDI-COLL – now sealing sheets, sealing tapes and sealant adhesives are all available from one supplier. With Schlüter-DITRA-DRAIN the company presents a passive capillary bonded drainage and uncoupling system for ceramics and natural stone, indoors and outdoors.
New generation
Marc and Udo Schlüter become the directors of the company.
Awards
The new administrative building in Montréal, Canada sets new standards. It is awarded LEED Gold certification for its sustainable design and also the Award for Excellence in Architecture.
Schlüter-LIPROTEC and DITRA-HEAT-E
Let there be light! At the BAU trade fair, Schlüter-Systems presents a complete system of LED-illuminated profiles for the first time: Schlüter-LIPROTEC. In addition, an electric radiant panel heating system for floors and walls came onto the market that also provides uncoupling: DITRA-HEAT-E.
Schlüter-TRENDLINE, award and anniversary
With Schlüter-TRENDLINE, many new profile finishes arrive on the market. And the WorkBox seminar centre receives the Platinum award from DGNB (the German sustainable building council) – and the company celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Certification of the OrangeBox
The OrangeBox is inaugurated at Onda in Spain: an ultra-modern seminar and exhibition space that was the first renovated building in the region to receive passive building certification.
New products, new building and TV advertising
With Schlüter-DECO-SG, a shadow joint profile for glass elements in the floor and wall areas of showers enters the market. And Schlüter-VINPRO, the first Schlüter profiles specially for elastic floor coverings, makes its premiere. In addition, a new administration building at Iserlohn with a striking 'Schlüter Look' facade is opened. And Schlüter TV ads are shown for the first time - during the peak viewing period, shortly before the 'Tagesschau' news bulletin.
New centre in Texas, USA
Schlüter-Systems opens a new and modern training and logistics centre in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
New products and new website
Knowingly adapting to specific tile designs or setting accents: Schlüter-Systems prints your chosen visual design onto selected profiles. With Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-W an individual washbasin solution is also available that thanks to prefabricated elements is easy to implement. And: the company's website is relaunched in a fresh design with clear navigation, ample product information and inspiring application examples.
