Page 92 - History-of-flooringLR

Schlüter-Systems: from Schiene to market leader

Schlüter-Systems products offer practical and safe solutions for Product development highlights timeline
the installation of tiles and natural stone as well as other
materials, ensuring a long-lasting installation that can be 1975 The Schlüter-SCHIENE profile developed by Werner
appreciated for years to come. The company, headquartered in Schlüter is produced and sold for the first time.
Iserlohn in Germany, has a portfolio today of more than 10,000 1985 The Schlüter-DILEX profile series makes it possible to
products but, rewind to the mid-70s, and it all started with a create permanently maintenance-free movement joints
lightbulb moment. for the first time.

During a construction project in Germany, company founder 1987 Schlüter-KERDI comes on the market as an innovative
and master tiler Werner Schlüter was faced with the challenge of bonded waterproofing assembly for tiled floor and wall
finding a clean finish for the Florentine mosaic tiles in a coverings.
bathroom with five doors.
1987 Schlüter-DITRA, the original uncoupling membrane,
‘A suitable product was not available on the market at the time, is launched.
so he developed the first tile trim with the help of a toolmaker
friend. Schlüter-SCHIENE was patented and launched on the 1987 The Schlüter-TREP profile is developed for the
market,’ reports the founder’s son, Udo Schlüter, who now runs protection of stair nosings.
the company together with his brother Marc and his father.
2003 Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM is introduced as an
To date, several hundred million linear metres of Schlüter energy-saving, innovative, ceramic thermal-comfort
profiles have been installed by tilers all over the world. Today, floor with a low assembly height.
when it comes to a tile covering, the name Schlüter usually
springs to mind. Since the invention of SCHIENE, the range has 2008 Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD delivers the first cement-free
grown steadily from tile trims to underfloor heating, backer board.
uncoupling membranes, drainage solutions to waterproofing 2009 Schlüter-WETROOMS introduced with KERDI-
and even accessories. DRAIN and KERDI-SHOWER for walk-in showers.
The company itself has continued to grow alongside its product 2012 We further optimised our DITRA uncoupling
range. What began in 1966 as a small tile laying company has membrane which made it possible to use the
now become a global company with more than 2,000 employees uncoupling function optimally in all four directions by
across eight countries. The recurring motto ‘practical solutions means of a dimpled structure.
for practical problems’ still applies to product development at
Schlüter-Systems. Each product is born out of a need based on 2013 Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E enables underfloor heating
practical experiences, and from listening to the feedback of our and uncoupling in a single layer.
customers. 2022 Peel & Stick variants of the integrated electric
Here in the UK, Schlüter-Systems are about to reach their 30 underfloor heating system Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-PS
year milestone of operation. Based in Coalville in Leicestershire, and Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS remove the need
the team provide full sales, technical, training and marketing to use cementitious tile adhesive to bond the
support to customers all over the UK and Ireland, led by membrane to the substrate, simplifying and speeding
managing director, Joachim Backes. The Schlüter team works up the installation process.
closely with distributors, resellers, tiling contractors, architects 2022 The original. Now even better. The trusted and reliable
and specifiers – providing the best customer service available uncoupling membrane Schlüter-DITRA now features
and actively helping to ensure long lasting, attractive innovative enhancements that make tile installation
installations.
even easier.
Schlüter’s renowned technical expertise includes advising
architects, specifiers and contractors before they carry out the And what about the future? Although we have achieved a lot
installation, aiming to prevent problems in the future. The already, we continuously strive to innovate to find even more
technical team are there to support the intricacies of the design efficient solutions for the tile and natural stone industry. We are
process, offering a variety of services to ensure that no detail is expanding our UK head offices to create additional training
left unchecked. From CAD drawings and verifying compliance facilities and we are working on a brand new website to make
to site support, the team are available from the start to finish of our products and services as accessible as possible.
a project.
From the idea of SCHIENE to becoming the market leader in
The ethos of the company, outlined by Werner Schlüter, is that tile installation products, Schlüter-Systems have been setting
‘Our products cannot be sold, they must be understood.’ This standards both nationally and worldwide for more than half a
underpins the focus on education through our dedicated century.
training facilities, where we have offered practical training to aid If you’d like to speak with any of our team members here in the
understanding of how our products should be installed and UK, please contact us on the details below.
their applications since 2012. From practical training to
theoretical, Schlüter’s team of specification consultants offer info@schluter.co.uk
RIBA accredited CPD presentations and lunch and learn 01530 813 396
sessions, supporting architects and specifiers with ongoing
education on the subject of tile and stone.

92 The History of Flooring