Biography Karl Schmid
Karl Schmid can be described as one of the pioneers of the economic development of South Tyrol since the 1960's.
He began his activities as an entrepreneur as a young man with only his great optimism, his iron will and commitment for support. From his modest start as a grocer, he rose to become one the leading businessmen in South Tyrol and Italy within a few years.
Karl Schmid specialised in the sale of wines and spirits. He took over the agency for international brands, including the production under licence of the herb liqueur Jägermeister which is now world famous and made it one of the most important spirit brands in Italy. In fact he became known as "Mr. Jägermeister".
Thanks to his clever advertising strategy (I drink Jägermeister because ...) and with much hard work his sales figures reached new heights; as a result over 6 million bottles were sold in one year.
The firm Karl Schmid was extended further. Using a modern extensive sales network, other products were also retailed such as wines and speck (raw smoked bacon) from South Tyrol and various home-produced schnaps.
Karl Schmid can be regarded as a trailblazer in the field of marketing typical South Tyrolean products on an international and national basis. He opened a chain of shops in Northern Italy for the direct sale of his high quality products; numerous restaurants and various hotels helped with the success of this side of the business.
In 1972 Karl Schmid acquired the wine-growing estate Castel Rametz in Obermais (Meran) and soon afterwards in 1976 the wine estate Castel Monreale with its vineyards (sparkling and white wines) in Faedo near San Michele all'Adige (in the neighbouring province of Trient).
The estates were substantially extended with great passion, an eye for detail and considerable investment and were newly planned according to the Guyot system which was still unknown in the region at this time.
Karl Schmid is also active in the tourist branch. In 1974 he procured the private property Villa Eden, also situated in Obermais, and turned it into the first and most distinguished beauty farm in Italy. It is now successfully managed by his daughter Angelika.
In the same way Karl Schmid was one of the initiators and founders of the Ski Center Latemar in Obereggen (Dolomites) which meanwhile is classed as one of the most beautiful, important and best equipped winter sport areas in the region. At that time the area was still underdeveloped but with Karl Schmid's "Sporthotel Obereggen" a new direction and impetus was created for the hotel branch.
... and today Karl Schmid is, as ever, the central figure of the Karl Schmid organisation. He supports his children in the management of the various departements and is responsible for the significant decisions which lead to new developments within the firm.
Proceed to: Famiglia Schmid
Karl Schmid can be described as one of the pioneers of the economic development of South Tyrol since the 1960's.He began his activities as an entrepreneur as a young man with only his great optimism, his iron will and commitment for support. From his modest start as a grocer, he rose to become one the leading businessmen in South Tyrol and Italy within a few years.
Karl Schmid specialised in the sale of wines and spirits. He took over the agency for international brands, including the production under licence of the herb liqueur Jägermeister which is now world famous and made it one of the most important spirit brands in Italy. In fact he became known as "Mr. Jägermeister".
Thanks to his clever advertising strategy (I drink Jägermeister because ...) and with much hard work his sales figures reached new heights; as a result over 6 million bottles were sold in one year.
The firm Karl Schmid was extended further. Using a modern extensive sales network, other products were also retailed such as wines and speck (raw smoked bacon) from South Tyrol and various home-produced schnaps.
Karl Schmid can be regarded as a trailblazer in the field of marketing typical South Tyrolean products on an international and national basis. He opened a chain of shops in Northern Italy for the direct sale of his high quality products; numerous restaurants and various hotels helped with the success of this side of the business.
In 1972 Karl Schmid acquired the wine-growing estate Castel Rametz in Obermais (Meran) and soon afterwards in 1976 the wine estate Castel Monreale with its vineyards (sparkling and white wines) in Faedo near San Michele all'Adige (in the neighbouring province of Trient).
The estates were substantially extended with great passion, an eye for detail and considerable investment and were newly planned according to the Guyot system which was still unknown in the region at this time.
Karl Schmid is also active in the tourist branch. In 1974 he procured the private property Villa Eden, also situated in Obermais, and turned it into the first and most distinguished beauty farm in Italy. It is now successfully managed by his daughter Angelika.
In the same way Karl Schmid was one of the initiators and founders of the Ski Center Latemar in Obereggen (Dolomites) which meanwhile is classed as one of the most beautiful, important and best equipped winter sport areas in the region. At that time the area was still underdeveloped but with Karl Schmid's "Sporthotel Obereggen" a new direction and impetus was created for the hotel branch.
... and today Karl Schmid is, as ever, the central figure of the Karl Schmid organisation. He supports his children in the management of the various departements and is responsible for the significant decisions which lead to new developments within the firm.
Proceed to: Famiglia Schmid