Greetings everybody,
I’ve been extremely busy this week, but wanted to share a short article on the history of a lesser known sewing machine company that is significant in the world of industrial sewing machines: Adler.
I hope you find it interesting.
If you haven’t already, check out the archive of 100+ sewing machine educational articles I’ve published over the last 18 months. I’ll share some of my favorites below:
Adler Sewing Machines
The Adler brand traces its roots back to 1860 when Heinrich Koch founded the company in Bielefeld, Germany. Koch initially focused on producing high-quality sewing machines designed to meet the demands of industrial use. Adler quickly gained a good reputation for the robustness and quality of its machines, attracting industries such as leather goods manufacturing, upholstery, footwear, and later automotive interiors.
In the early 20th century, Adler's industrial machines were celebrated for their ability to effortlessly handle thick, layered, and heavy materials, maintaining stitch quality even under extreme conditions. This made Adler machines indispensable across multiple manufacturing sectors, significantly boosting their global presence and reputation.
Throughout the mid-1900s, Adler machines were integral to the booming automotive and upholstery industries. Machines such as the Adler 267 and Adler 767 became industry benchmarks, known for their remarkable durability, high-quality stitching on thick material, and capacity for continuous, high-volume operation. These machines embodied Adler’s commitment to quality and became staples in manufacturing facilities worldwide.
The next major milestone in Adler’s history occurred in 1990 when the company merged with another prominent German sewing machine manufacturer, Dürkopp. This strategic merger created Dürkopp Adler, a company that leveraged the combined expertise and innovation of both historic brands.
Today, Dürkopp Adler continues the legacy initiated by Heinrich Koch over 160 years ago, upholding the Adler tradition of excellence in industrial sewing machine manufacturing. Adler's commitment to innovation, quality, and durability remains integral to the brand, now strengthened by its partnership with Dürkopp.
Here is a link to their website, where you can check out all the different sewing products Dürkopp Adler offers in 2025:
https://www.duerkopp-adler.com/products/industrial-sewing-machines/overview/#
Thank you for reading!
If you found this article interesting, please share it with your fellow sewists. Your support is very much appreciated.
—Cale
Hmm. Adler. Interesting.
Wow! Now those are some robust machines! Some of them actually looked a bit scary 😱.Thank you for giving us a look into true industrial machines.