Textile Values, New Directions
Interview with Jacob Sloth, Managing Director of Zimmer + Rohde GmbH
Zimmer + Rohde GmbH in Oberursel has been synonymous with top-quality textiles, sophisticated creation, and international style expertise for over 120 years. The family-owned company is among the leading European textile publishers. Since the end of 2024, Danish Jacob Sloth with Andreas Zimmer heads the management. In the interview, he talks about the connection of tradition and innovation, his role as a bridge-builder – and how a family business strategically positions itself for the future.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Sloth, a traditional company and a globally experienced manager, do they go together?
Jacob Sloth: Very well, actually. The company is steeped in tradition, but not traditional in the sense of being inflexible: it focuses on quality, creativity, and openness to new ideas. I was immediately enthralled by the passion with which work is conducted here, whether in creation, sales, or production. Additionally, there is the international aspect. We do not think in national boundaries, but in worlds of style, lifestyles, markets. The creative diversity that results is impressive and a major competitive advantage.
Wirtschaftsforum: Zimmer + Rohde combines traditional craftsmanship with international design. How is this balance achieved?
Jacob Sloth: She is the heart of our business. We work with highly qualified partners and manufacturers, often for decades. At the same time, our creation teams are very international, located in Paris, London, New York and of course in Oberursel. This means: We combine the depth of craftsmanship with the breadth of global style trends. A good example is our current collection 'Rhapsody of Colors', where classic weaving techniques meet surprising color worlds. Such connections are only formed when one thinks of innovation from the substance. This diversity is also reflected in the different brands of the corporate group, from the French-light handwriting of Etamine to the iconic ADO Goldkante.
Wirtschaftsforum: You speak of innovation: How innovative can a textile company be today?
Jacob Sloth: Very innovative – if one proceeds deliberately and with foresight. Innovation is evident not only in new creations but also in the selection of sustainable materials, in optimizing processes, and in the openness to new technologies. We are continuously assessing how we can sensibly integrate digital developments – including the use of AI – into our way of working to become more efficient internally and also to offer our customers real added value. Innovation is also evident in the attitude: How open are we to new markets? To new target groups? To new distribution channels? A lot is happening in all these areas at Zimmer + Rohde right now.
Textiles are an emotional, tactile product – that will never change. But digital technologies can meaningfully expand this world. Online platforms, virtual showrooms, data-driven consulting, all this helps us to work faster, more precisely, and with a greater focus on service. At the same time, it is important to me that people remain at the center. Technology should not replace us, but support us – in contact with our customers, but also in the creative process.
Wirtschaftsforum: How international is Zimmer + Rohde positioned, and where do you see further potential?
Jacob Sloth: We are already very international today: Two-thirds of our sales are generated outside the DACH region. The USA is an especially strong market, as well as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Scandinavia. At the same time, we see further growth potential in Asia and the Middle East. Our presence in the major cities with our own showrooms and local teams is an important prerequisite for this. It helps us to be close to our customers and understand cultural nuances.
In all of this, it is important to us to preserve our own identity. Our roots in Germany – the precision, the promise of quality, the long-term perspective – strongly shape us. But we translate these values anew depending on the market. This means: We listen carefully, are open to local needs, but never lose our own signature. It's like a good collection: It may show diversity, but must remain coherent as a whole. We succeed because we work very closely and trustfully together across countries and continents.
Wirtschaftsforum: Is your corporate culture a good foundation for the future?
Jacob Sloth: I would describe our culture as value-oriented, cooperative, and forward-looking. It's not just about economic success, but also about responsibility – for employees, customers, and the environment. We are big enough to act internationally, but small enough to remain humane.
This mix is rare today, and it motivates me every day. The fact that I, as an ‘outsider’, am integrated into such a culture is not taken for granted. I see this as a great trust and as a mandate to do well. Together with Andreas Zimmer and our entire team, I want to strategically develop Zimmer + Rohde further: more digital, closer to the end customer, more sustainable in production. My aim is to build bridges between creative ideas and economic clarity, between tradition and innovation, between international dynamics and family grounding. If we succeed, I see a very stable, very strong future for Zimmer + Rohde.