1993
Schmidt & Bender Inc.
Schmidt & Bender Incorporated is founded in the US.
1992
Foundation of the subsidiary in Hungary
Schmidt & Bender Hungaria Optikai Kft. is founded as a subsidiary based on the round/circular optics department which was bought from the Hungarian company “Mom”. The factory starts its work with 80 employees.
1992
3-12x50 and change of management
The 3-12x50 is launched.
Furthermore, Udo Harald Bender, son of the company founder Helmut Bender, complements the management.
1990
Handover of the management
Helmut Schmidt hands over the management to his son-in-law Hans-Albert Bender.
1988
Expansion of the location
The location “Am Großacker 42, 35444 Biebertal-Fellingshausen” is being expanded.
By now, 40 employees are working for Schmidt & Bender.
1983
1.25-4x20
The riflescope 1.25-4x20 with a field of view of 32 m/105 ft is launched.
1981
First SHOT Show participation
For the first time Schmidt & Bender exhibits at the SHOT Show in New Orleans, USA and shares a booth with Heckler & Koch.
1980
First IWA Outdoor Classics Exhibition participation
For the first time Schmidt & Bender exhibits at the most important shooting show in Europe: IWA Show in Nuremberg, Germany.
1978
M-Series
The M-Series is launched. M stands for “centered reticle”.
1978
First government contract
Schmidt & Bender receives its first government order from the Finnish Army for the 4x36 riflescope. 500 units are delivered in total.
1974
Riflescope with variable magnification
Schmidt & Bender produces its first riflescope with variable magnification: 1¾-6x36.
1971
Production under own brand name
A new logo is developed and represents a new era: OEM products are no longer manufactured and the production focuses only on the own brand name.
1968
Relocation of the company
By now, Schmidt & Bender has 12 employees and relocates the company to “Am Großacker 42, 35444 Biebertal-Fellingshausen” which is still the existing location today.
1958
The first employee
The first employee is hired in 1958.
Production is still located in a laundry room.
1957
Production of OEM Products
The production of riflescopes initially started with OEM Products. Here are just a few examples.
It is already being produced under the brand name “S&B Fellh. Wetzlar”
(lower row in the middle of the picture).
1957
Foundation of the company “Schmidt & Bender”
Helmut Schmidt and Helmut Bender founded the company Schmidt & Bender in Biebertal-Fellingshausen. At first, they worked with the most modest means in a laundry room but with a lot of passion and ingenuity. Highest precision and quality was not only a profession but also important for the precision mechanic Helmut Schmidt and the master precision mechanic Helmut Bender.
