Waltersdorfer Straße 54 | 02779 Großschönau

Founded

In 1856, Karl Heinrich Schiffner has the first terry loom installed in Großschönau. | Around 1900, Großschönau grows to become the most important location for the German terry towelling industry. | After 1945, nationalised companies are gradually merged to form the state-owned large-scale enterprise Frottana.

Milestones

1927 Introduction of the MÖVE brand| 1970 MÖVE is well known and popular in (West) Germany. | In 1975, the East German VEB Frottana is the largest producer of terry towelling in Europe. | In the mid-1990s, the traditional MÖVE brand relocates to Großschönau - from then on, frottana produces the high-quality terry towelling products. | Since 2008, frottana Textil GmbH & Co. KG has been continuously investing in sustainability and environmental protection at the Großschönau production site - around 21 million euros to date.

Managing director

Norbert H. Vossen

Location(s)

Großschönau (head office), Berlin (marketing/sales), Verl (corporate customers/wholesale)

Workplaces

330 employees plus 20 trainees per year

Production/development focus, product range

Feel-good experiences for the bathroom, bed and home: mainly towels, bathrobes and bath rugs made of terry towelling in various designs and material qualities | Certifications: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, product class 1, GOTS, IVN Best Standard Natural Textiles, certified integrated management system

Company philosophy

“We continue to produce in Germany - in Upper Lusatia - and can rely on the expertise and passion of our local employees. Through extensive investments at our production site in Großschönau, we are also protecting the local flora and fauna around the Zittau Mountains for future generations. We are aware of our long-standing tradition, but we are not standing still.’”

In 1856, Germany's first terry towelling loom was in operation in Großschönau. In 2023, frottana produced over 2.5 million m² of terry towelling here - the equivalent of around 365 football pitches. This makes frottana Textil GmbH & Co. KG Großschönau is therefore Germany's most traditional terry weaving mill. Whether fluffy towels, cosy bathrobes or soft bath rugs: Under the equally historic umbrella brand MÖVE, the Großschönau-based company now produces a wide range of terry towelling products for private wellness oases, airlines and luxury hotels. All frottana textiles are labelled with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, baby class 1. The company has also invested in sustainable production, including solar panels, a combined heat and power plant and waste water filters.