We are celebrating our company’s anniversary: Our corporate group was founded as the student start-up “Spreadshirt” by Lukasz Gadowski and Matthias Spiess in 2002. Since then, we have grown to five internationally operating e-commerce platforms: Spreadshirt Create Your Own, Spreadshirt Marketplace, Spreadshop, TeamShirts and SPOD (Spreadshirt Print-on-Demand).
“We can be very proud of we have achieved together over the past 18 years. Spread Group has beaten many better funded businesses to become the only true international PoD market leader by focusing on what is important for the customer and by having an excellent team. We will continue to focus on product and business model innovations in the future,” says Philip Rooke, CEO of Spread Group.
On our anniversary, we would like to invite you to look back on eventful and exciting 18 years:
18. Expanding our research and development at the Leipzig site
At the start of 2020, the company expands its range of machines at its main site in Leipzig. In addition to six embroidery machines, it is the first supplier in Germany to install digital printers for printing polyester materials.
17. Foundation of SPOD
SPOD is brought to life! The SPOD (Spreadshirt Print-On-Demand) drop-shipping service is part of the Shopify offering in the USA since 2019.
16. Spread Group enters the wall decoration market
In 2018, the company introduces posters and wall art in the marketplace and partner stores.
15. Record year in 2017
The group increases its global sales to over 100 million euros for the first time and achieves a record EBITDA of 8.2 million euros.
14. Launch of the new partner area
Since 2016 store operators and marketplace designers have been creating and designing their stores and managing their ideas and products in this new command centre.
13. Foundation of the Spreadshop brand
The completely responsive and free store system is given its own brand name in 2015: Spreadshop.
12. Opening of the new production site in the Czech Republic
The expansion continues: In 2015, a new production facility is opened in Krupka, Ústí nad Labem region in the Czech Republic.
11. Foundation of the TeamShirts brand
With the launch of the TeamShirts brand in 2014, there is now a range of products and functionalities that are specifically aimed at the growing number of group orders.
10. Launch of the first collection under own label
In 2013, the e-commerce company launches its own collection, which specializes in print-on-demand and is continuously expanded to include organic products.
9. Expansion in the American market
The opening of a new production facility in Henderson (Las Vegas, Nevada) in 2012 is a response to record growth in the USA.
8. Stefanie Nobis becomes Feelgood Manager
Since 2011 Stefanie Nobis has been caring for the well-being and the community feeling of the employees at work.
7. International T-Shirt Day
In 2008, International T-Shirt Day takes place for the first time. This special day is celebrated annually from now on with online and offline events at the Berlin and Boston locations.
6. Digital direct print enters production
Since 2008, sellers and end customers have been able to have pixel graphics produced using the digital direct printing process. The first machines from the Israeli company Kornit move in this year.
5. With the relaunch of the website comes the marketplace
The marketplace starts in 2007 with the relaunch of the complete website. It is a platform, which connects designers and end customers with one another.
4. Top 5 placement in the ranking Europe’s Top 500
In 2006, the company is awarded a top five ranking for the first time in an international competition. This is for its achievements as a growing company.
3. Launch of the “Shirt-O-Mat”
The T-shirt designer – an interactive application that allows you to place shirt motifs on various products – is launched in 2004 under the name “Shirt-O-Mat”.
2. Expansion into the USA
Spreadshirt Inc. starts business in Louisville, USA, as a 100 % subsidiary in 2004.
1. Foundation of Spreadshirt
Business studies student Lukasz Gadowski and graduate engineer Matthias Spiess founded “Spreadshirt GbR” in Leipzig (Germany) in 2002. Spreadshirt is one of the first “social commerce” companies that turns consumers into producers.
