Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt is a social commerce company with headquarters in Leipzig, which provides its users an online platform that will help not only designed T -shirts and bought, but can also be offered for sale. An extensive shop partner system allows each user to create their own t-shirt shop and integrate into existing websites when needed.

All transactions are handled via the Web: The shop operator invites its graphics, logos, etc. on the Internet high and thus designs its products. Spreadshirt then takes over from warehousing to production, shipping and payment processing, and customer service all the necessary functions to drive the individual merchandising products online.

History

Spreadshirt was founded in 2001 by Lukasz Gadowski and Matthias spit. Had spit at that time already had experience in the creation of enterprises. The other CEO Michael Petersen became a partner in the company in the summer of 2004. 2006, the corporate form of a limited liability company was converted into a public limited company.

The headquarters is located Spreadshirt in Leipzig- Plagwitz. In addition, other European offices are located in Berlin, London, Paris, Utrecht and in the Polish Legnica. There was formed in 2006, the third production plant besides Leipzig and the U.S. in Greensburg. The U.S. branch is based in Boston.

In July 2006, the London venture capital firm Accel Partners invested in Spreadshirt. Part of the money was used to buy the French company laFraise which organizes Europe's largest ongoing T- shirt design competition on the Internet.

August 1, 2007 Gadowski resigned his post as CEO at Spreadshirt and instead acts since 2008 as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Gadowskis was succeeded by the US-American Jana Eggers, who served as CEO of Spreadshirt to November 2010. In May 2011, the former Chief Marketing Officer Philip Rooke was appointed CEO. The current members of the Board are therefore CEO Philip Rooke, co-founder Matthias spit ( CTO ) and Chief Financial Officer Tobias Schaugg (as of January 2012).

Spreadshirt comprised in November 2007 alongside Spreadshirt.de nor the corporate brands laFraise and German print service (now " Spreadshirt Bulk Orders ").

Criticism

It is assumed frequently that it is at Spreadshirt is another Web 2.0 clone, which is based on the U.S. cafepress.com. So Spiegel Online leads to an article published on December 2, 2007 Spreadshirt under the heading " German Web 2.0 imitators: cash in with the Copy Shop" on.

In an article in the taz was disclosed that " Reconquista " ( RCQT ) had offered right-wing extremist devotional in a Spreadshirt shop. The shop was designed by Spreadshirt in 2008 after it became known closed. In addition, PI - News has until 2011 also a "PI -shop" at Spreadshirt and operated in T -Shirts offered with anti-Muslim motives. Spreadshirt had a shop closing contemplated several times, but was rejected by the reference to " freedom of expression ". In October 2011, the shop was, however, also closed.

Facts and Figures

  • Spreadshirt now employs around 350 staff in Europe and the U.S.
  • Now more than 500,000 stores are registered with Spreadshirt, of which 75,000 operate actively and continuously worldwide. Among the active users include not only individuals, companies, organizations, associations and artists
  • Per week, approximately 30,000 designs at Spreadshirt submitted
  • On the European marketplace by Spreadshirt are now more than 370,000 T -shirt designs, which can be combined in various combinations to nearly 130 different products.
  • The turnover in 2010 amounted to EUR 31.8 million, of which 9.5 million in the U.S.
  • As sales for 2012 Spreadshirt expects $ 100 million, 20 million of which USD in the U.S.

Awards

  • Great Place to Work 2008: The sprd.net AG is elected among the 100 best employers in Germany
  • Online Star 2006: Special Prize " Founder of the Year " for Lukasz Gadowski
  • Europe 's Top 500: # 5 of the fastest-growing medium-sized companies in Europe, # 1 in Germany
  • Red Herring 100 Europe Award 2006: Inclusion in the list of 100 most innovative companies in Europe
  • German Internet Award 2005: Award of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour
  • Means German Entrepreneur of the Year 2005: Award Association of Independent Entrepreneurs & the Federal Association of Young Entrepreneurs
  • HP Business Innovation Award 2004
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