SlumberTrek History
The Beginning of the Family Business
The Schwarz family began operations in Australia in 1938 when Max and Alfred Schwarz arrived on Australian shores from Europe. When a major Melbourne retailer offered cash in advance for 100 polyester quilts, it was this injection of funds that enabled the purchase of their first quilting machine. Ever since, the machinery purchased had been of the latest technology from Europe.
In the mid-forties, Alfred's wife gave birth to a son - Paul Schwarz. Early in the 1960's he studied textiles and "grew" into the business later becoming the principle in the 1970's. Whilst the business had always dabbled in the sleeping bag and camping market, within six years the company had become the largest manufacturer of sleeping bags in the Southern hemisphere and also a major importer of tents, backpacks & other outdoor gear.
In order to expand the operations even further, off-shore production was required. Paul travelled to China and revamped existing Chinese sleeping bag factories with the latest Western technology and methods, implementing Western quality control and management expertise. From these humble beginnings the business grew from a small family operation into a privately owned, professionally run organisation yet retained a family atmosphere amongst its employees.
Creation of SlumberTrek Pty Ltd
Sleepmaster was sold in early 1995, and July of the same year saw the establishment of SlumberTrek Australia Pty Ltd. The Business has grown from a primarily camping supplier to a broad range consumer products developer.
The LIFE!® brand was established in 1993 and in 2009, the brand was purchased by SlumberTrek. Please refer to the Life website, www.lifeliveitup.com.au. SlumberTrek is committed to expanding the range and availability to ensure everyone can have a taste of life!
Today at SlumberTrek, we design leisure and lifestyle products and distribute to major Australian and International retailers. We focus on the customer with practical and fashion innovations, and we are known for:
- Doing what we say we will.
- Our development capabilities, both product & packaging.
- Our ability to customise and provide our customers with exclusive
product & design. - An ever increasing range of products.
- Our in-house specialist design team at the forefront of trends &
cutting edge designs.