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Best materials
Millimetre by millimetre and thread for thread: simply the best.
Those wanting to create something special and unique of lasting value
will need nothing less than the perfect “ingredients”. This not only
applies to many other areas but especially to our Steiff manufacture,
where we only use “ingredients” of the highest quality: for every Steiff
animal, from head to paw. Starting with the thread, the filling material,
buttons, eyes and accessories and right up to what is so characteristic
for every Steiff animal: it’s “coat” or “fur”, which gives character and
form to its appearance. So since 2009 we have been particularly
happy to be able to call ourselves the world’s only manufacturer of
children´s toys with its own fabric factory.
Through the fusion with our long-term supplier Schulte, the entire material
and fabric production process is now in the hands of Margarete
Steiff GmbH, from the very first design idea to fabric manufacture,
sewing and garnishing as well as perfecting every Steiff animal in
our factories. At Steiff Schulte in Duisburg, we create luxurious fabrics
from threads of noble materials such as alpaca, mohair and silk. These
in turn are the valuable “ingredients” for our unique creations. Those
wanting to create something extraordinary can only be satisfied with
the very best. That’s what we think – don’t you?
perfected unique specimen
Characteristics which turn a brand into a legend.
We at Steiff also have good reason to be proud and happy: after
all, the Steiff “Button in Ear” is one of the world´s most renowned
trademarks.
If you look closely at the assortment for collectors and enthusiasts, you
will see that there has been a change to the ear tag. This change
affects all collectors´ items from 2015 from the replica, limited editions
and unlimited classic collection. Existing standard range will have the
new ear tag from January 2015. Products which are produced before
January will still get the “old” ear tag. They will have an ear tag with
the current Steiff logo on the front and the reference to the product
group. This print replaces the earlier one with the bear’s head and
tag, and the wording “Knopf im Ohr”. The back of the ear tag remains
the same. The ear tags for children’s/baby items and the Margarete
Steiff Edition are unchanged. The reason for this change to ear tags
is to increase the distinction between collectors´ and children´s/baby
assortment and is based on guidelines for toys.
classic collection
AlpAcA
mohAir
soft, silky, opulent
lustrous, shiny and sleek
Although the number of alpaca animals in the Steiff range has increased
in recent years, the company discovered the material many years ago. Its
resurgence in popularity is due to its wonderful feel and tremendous versatility.
Alpaca can be used to create both soft Teddy bears and ultra-realistic animals.
This natural material from the wool of the angora goat is the classic Teddy bear
material. In fact, it was used for the first Teddy bear ever created. The fiber is
both beautiful and durable, which accounts for the amazing number of vintage
Steiff creations that appear today in superb condition. Most Teddy bears and
animals in our current Classic range are made of mohair material.
Every original Steiff animal with the world-famous trademark, the Steiff “Button in
Ear”, shows that it comes from one of the best families – and every Steiff Teddy
bear and Steiff animal proudly wears an ear tag as a clearly recognisable
identification. Both big and small Steiff fans immediately recognise the yellow
Steiff ear tag with red writing. It shows that this is one of the many, wonderful
animals and Teddy bears from the wide, unlimited Steiff assortment – an
unmistakeable original from the famous company with a long-standing tradition.
old:
limited editions
All the animals and Teddy bears at Steiff are very pleased to receive the
extraordinary distinction of the white ear tag with red writing because these are
produced in a limited edition. This means that only a limited number is available
and some are available only in certain countries. Each of these limited edition
Steiff animals with the white ear tag and the gold-plated “Button in Ear” also
brings his new owner a certificate that insures the authenticity and special status
as a limited edition Steiff animal.
old:
Woven fur
plush
cuddly, velvety, robust
fluffy, versatile, soft
Amazingly soft and natural-feeling, this beautiful fabric is quite valuable. It is
created through a unique three-dimensional weaving technique that involves
inserting threads into cotton backing perpendicularly. The result is especially
appropriate for huggable toys, though this sumptuous fabric is also used in
our Studio range of near life-size creatures.
Plush Steiff animals are fluffy and feel particularly soft and gentle. A special
finishing technique gives Steiff’s knitted plush fabric a unique combination of soft
feel and high durability. Plush can be used for a multitude of applications and
its functionality makes it the ideal choice for the special demands of children’s
sensitive skin.
The ISO 9001 Certification
The ISO 9001 certification confirms that the Steiff Company
complies with the highest standards of the QM system.
new:
new:
replica
The Teddy bears and animals of the replica series by Steiff are a very
special and extraordinary. This means that these true-to-original animals are
reproduced exactly according to their historic role models from the Steiff
Archives. All Steiff replicas have a white ear tag with black writing to
document their special status and the true-to-original “Button in Ear” from the
respective year of production. This outstanding distinction lets Steiff friends,
fans and collectors know that this is a particularly limited edition Steiff animal
with extraordinary, historic character.
old:
new:
1847/1848
1877
1880
1890
1893
Margarete Steiff is born
in Giengen an der Brenz;
she contracts polio at the
age of 18 months.
Margarete establishes her
own felt clothing business.
The first soft toy – the little
elephant – is created.
New construction of the
1st factory building
Entry into the
commercial register.
1902
1903
1904
1906
1907
Franz Steiff (Margarete’s
nephew) develops the
“Button in Ear” as the
legendary trademark
Establishment of
Margarete Steiff GmbH
on 30th May 1906
Teddy bear boom
– 973,999 Teddy bears
are produced.
How it all began…
Richard Steiff
(Margarete’s nephew)
develops the 55 PB,
which is later renamed
Teddy bear after Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt.
1909
Construction of the east
wing in double steel design
1926
1947
1951
1980
1984
Teddy Clown and
other colourful products
are introduced.
Relaunch after the
2nd World War
The famous character,
Mecki, appears.
The first replicas for the
collectors’ market appear.
Petsy – the first
machine-washable Teddy
bear – is created.
1992
2002
2005
2006
2015
Founding of the Steiff
Club for enthusiasts and
collectors.
100th birthday of the
Teddy bear and world
premiere of the musical
“Teddy – a Musical
Dream” by Uli Brée
125th anniversary of the
company and opening of
the Steiff Museum.
1st Steiff Summer
135 years of
Margarete Steiff toys
Margarete Steiff dies on
9th May 1909. Richard
Steiff (Margarete’s
nephew) constructs the
“Roloplan” kite
QuAlITy fIrST
It’s a fair question: these days, when cheap soft toys are readily available, why should customers
choose Steiff? If you asked us, we would certainly point to aspects such as the lovingly child-friendly
design of our toys. Or our unique range of products, our long tradition and so on. However,
there is one more criterion that sets apart the brand with the “Button in Ear”: its superior quality.
Margarete Steiff, the innovative founder of our company, used to say: “Only the best is good enough
for children”. Today, 135 years later, this still holds true for us – every day and at every workstation.
Particularly in a time when synthetic additives abound unseen, we want you to be able to rest assured
that the soft, silky fur of your child’s playmate is free of any harmful substances. Our toys contain no
detachable small parts or materials that children shouldn’t put in their mouths. This means that the
children can play safely with their furry friends for life – and that their parents know that they are in
safe paws.
We at Steiff see our commitment to safe toys as the most important of many reasons for opting for
Steiff. Here, you can see what we mean by this and how we put it into practice. We subject ourselves
to far stricter standards than those required by law – this is because it is simply second nature to us.
The Dekra certificate
Completely safe from a mechanical, chemical, physical, health and hygiene
perspective: Steiff products pass strict, internationally renowned tests in order
to obtain the Dekra certificate.
The CE mark
Product safety in accordance with European toy safety directives: all Steiff
products bear the CE mark.
The ”spiel gut“ Award
The Children’s Toys Working Committee awarded Steiff the “spiel gut”
award for outstanding toys. Above all, the material, production and usage
of these toys were examined.
The ISO 9001 Certification
Exemplary quality management: Steiff regularly meets the strict
ISO 9001 requirements during certification audits.
Best materials
Millimetre for millimetre. Metre for metre: only the very best will do.
The fusion with Schulte, our long-term Steiff supplier, in 2009 has
made us the world’s only supplier of plush toys with an own fabric
mill. The entire manufacturing process is therefore in the hands of the
Margarete Steiff GmbH: from the first idea to the design, from fabric
production to sewing and the manufacture of every single Steiff animal.
At Steiff Schulte in Duisburg we turn thread into noble materials such as
alpaca, mohair and silk as well as other luxurious materials. All these
are in turn raw materials for wonderful, master-crafted Steiff creations.
Perfected unique specimen
Characteristics which make the difference
Whether a cuddly toy is a member of the big Steiff family becomes
apparent by the famous “Button in Ear” trademark. This has varying
designs depending on status. The yellow tag specifies that it is a
“legitimate” member of the family. A white ear tag with red writing
is only worn by animals in limited editions. And finally, you can
recognise the Steiff Selection Edition by the silver writing on the white
ear tag. These are the members with a particularly exclusive “gift”
status.
original Collection
PLush
Woven Fur
mohair
Fluffy, versatile, soft
Cuddly, velvety, robust
Lustrous, shiny and sleek
Plush Steiff animals are fluffy and feel particularly
soft and gentle. A special finishing technique gives
Steiff’s knitted plush fabric a unique combination
of soft feel and high durability. Plush can be used
for a multitude of applications and its functionality
makes it the ideal choice for the special demands
of children’s sensitive skin.
Amazingly soft and natural-feeling, this beautiful
fabric is quite valuable. It is created through a
unique three-dimensional weaving technique that
involves inserting threads into cotton backing
perpendicularly. The result is especially appropriate for huggable toys, though this sumptuous
fabric is also used in our Studio range of near
life-size creatures.
This natural material from the wool of the angora
goat is the classic Teddy bear material. In fact, it
was used for the first Teddy bear ever created. The
fiber is both beautiful and durable, which accounts
for the amazing number of vintage Steiff creations
that appear today in superb condition. Most Teddy
bears and animals in our current Classic range are
made of mohair material.
Every original Steiff animal with the world-famous
trademark, the Steiff “Button in Ear”, shows that it
comes from one of the best families – and every
Steiff Teddy bear and Steiff animal proudly wears
an ear tag as a clearly recognisable identification.
Both big and small Steiff fans immediately recognise
the yellow Steiff ear tag with red writing. It shows
that this is one of the many, wonderful animals
and Teddy bears from the wide, unlimited Steiff
assortment – an unmistakeable original from the
famous company with a long-standing tradition.