This is who we are:

Discover everything there is to know about Germany’s largest tile archive and our unique, sustainable business model. You can read our remarkable founding story below. Today, we are the leading experts in archiving replacement tiles, with a collection of over 80,000 different models. As specialists in stock management and logistics, we oversee more than 9,000 pallets containing over 7 million tiles. We are experts in packing and shipping fragile ceramics, sending out over 30,000 parcels annually. In special cases, we can repair or reproduce your broken tiles in our own workshop. Our goal is always to find and deliver the perfect replacement tile for you.

Our history

the beginnings of the tile manufactory

In 1978, Konrad Schittek founded the tile manufactory in Hamburg-Altona. Here, handmade tiles were artistically produced and decorated according to old traditions, and reproductions were made to repair or supplement historical tile stocks.
media attention and unexpected inquiries

His intriguing work and exhibitions in northern Germany were frequently covered by the media, including the popular building and home magazine *Das Haus*. However, the magazine mistakenly reported that any tile could be reproduced on request. Consequently, craftsmen and insurance companies began requesting old tiles that were no longer available on the market for repair and restoration projects. It soon became evident that not all tiles could be reproduced—yet there was a significant demand for them.
a gap in the market is discovered

Until now, storing replacement tiles for potential damage had crossed the minds of very few people—tile factories and specialist stores hadn’t considered it at all. Only a few tiling companies had retained old materials, either for warranty purposes or to avoid discarding leftover stock. End consumers also rarely set aside spare tiles. While in Germany it is possible to buy replacement parts for almost every product, this hardly applies to tiles—a gap in the market was identified!
Tiles are collected

Alongside tile production, a continuous search for leftover stocks of frequently requested replacement tiles begins. Initially focused in northern Germany, this search eventually extends across the entire country and beyond. Konrad Schittek uncovers these tiles at tiling companies and long-established specialty shops. He delves deeply into the field, gathering extensive information about different manufacturers, series, formats, and colors. As the rooms of the tile manufactory fill up with these finds, the first employees are brought on board.
The artistic work takes a back seat

In 1988, Fliesenhandel Schittek GmbH was founded as the trade in repair tiles began to replace artistic work more and more. To meet the growing demand, Konrad Schittek traveled extensively throughout Germany, searching for and purchasing old tiles. Initially, the company headquarters were located in a backyard on Wohlers Allee in Hamburg-Altona. However, he eventually secured a larger warehouse in the Altes Land district of Hamburg-Francop, where the numerous tiles could be sorted and stored.
the tile archive is created

Every day, craftsmen and insurance agents visit Wohlers Allee in Hamburg-Altona with the tiles they are seeking. However, since the tiles are stored in the new external warehouse, a sample of each tile must be kept at the company headquarters for identification and display—meticulously organized, of course. New samples are added daily, leading to a constantly expanding tile archive. Even after the full relocation to the new premises, this archiving system will be maintained and continuously developed.
the warehouse becomes too small

The tile market is becoming increasingly fast-paced, with a growing variety of brands and models. The warehouse in Hamburg-Francop continues to fill up and expand. After the construction of Warehouses 1 and 2, Warehouses 3, as well as extensions to Warehouses 4 and 5, are added. As the outdoor areas also reach capacity, a new site must be found. In 2003, a suitable location is identified in the south of Hamburg, where a new warehouse is built with space for 2,600 pallets, serving once again as an external storage facility. In March 2004, Felix Schittek, the eldest son, joins the family business as a wholesale and foreign trade merchant.
Relocation with 1 million tiles

In 2008, the new company building was completed, featuring an adjoining warehouse with capacity for an additional 6,000 pallets. The expansion addressed the need for more space not only for the warehouse but also for the dispatch department, office, and tile archive. During ongoing operations, over 1,000 pallets and the archive—containing nearly 30,000 tile samples—had to be relocated. The move was executed smoothly, making room for further growth. Starting in June 2009, Jan Schittek, the second son, joined the management team after earning his degree in business administration. This allowed the senior management more time and resources to focus again on the tile manufactory and the new museum.
The second generation takes over

At the end of 2014, founder Konrad Schittek officially handed over the management of Fliesenhandel Schittek GmbH to his sons, Felix and Jan Schittek. With 16 employees, the family business transitioned to the next generation, marking a significant step into the future. Today, the focus is on sophisticated logistics and digital management of the extensive tile inventory and inquiries. The artistic work of Konrad Schittek continues to be showcased in the newly established tile museum, while the tile workshop also embraces a new generation of craftsmanship.
The tile archive goes fully digital

The tile archive is continuously expanding and undergoing constant refinement. As the diversity of tiles grows, the organization of the system must become increasingly sophisticated. We constantly add new formats, article numbers, surfaces, batches, color shades, calibers, EAN numbers, and other details. With advancements in computer technology, our archive has also transitioned to a more digital format. Since 2020, we have been managing the entire article database digitally through a new ERP system. This database is maintained by a dedicated team of digital experts.
A recurring problem: eternal growth

The constantly growing tile archive continually presents us with new challenges. Nowadays, tiles are printed digitally, similar to paper with an inkjet printer. Manufacturers from all over the world are producing day and night. Countless new products appear every year. Our aim is to include all these tiles in our archive, which means we are constantly growing. In 2018, we decide to build another large warehouse. Hall 3 is finally completed in 2022. The new warehouse offers 3,000 m² of space for another 9,000 pallets full of replacement tiles.