People make clothes

The naval uniform is undoubtedly the most beautiful uniform of all branches of the armed forces. However, procurement via clothing management is not always to the satisfaction of the customer. A medium-sized company is capitalising on this fact.

When you are promoted to lieutenant at sea, you become a self-dresser - that's what your employer wants. The employer also has an interest in officers wearing an impeccable uniform in view of their role model function. Various items of uniform must therefore be purchased for a certain budget. In addition, those wearing naval uniforms are granted a monthly clothing allowance, which is 16.36 euros for men and currently 23.01 euros for women. If you go to a shop at one of the few locations during opening hours, it may happen that the items you need are not available or not available in the required size.

Trouble with the service, considerable delays in registration processes and inconsistent quality encouraged Kathrin Schlüter to set up her own business selling uniforms. What began in the next room at home in 2017 has now become a well-known address for customised service clothing in the navy. "We are very grateful to the Bundeswehr's clothing management," says the art historian and lawyer with a twinkle in her eye. Gone are the days when naval personnel have to wear off-the-peg uniforms that don't fit like customised garments. Schlüter sets high standards for the quality of the products she sells. After all, in her opinion, officers in a well-fitting uniform are perceived differently and appear more confident.

Schlüter Uniformen GmbH was not spared the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Insolvency was all but certain due to the lockdown, and contact with insolvency lawyers had already been established. A video clip highlighting the worries and hardships went viral on social media within a few hours. And customers old and new responded by buying goods and vouchers. Within a day, a five-figure sum was generated, securing the future of the company: a last-minute rescue. In the near future, the small company will move into new premises not far from its current headquarters. The extra space is necessary.

Owner Kathrin Schlüter emphasises quality, photo: Daniel Angres

Managing Director Kathrin Schlüter, who prefers to leave the handling of needle and thread to the trained tailors, describes in a few words what sets her company apart from the competition: "We love what we do and focus on the individual wishes of our customers!" The extensive range includes more than just customised shirts and trousers. According to the customer's wishes, uniform jackets can be provided with an inner lining in the colour of the branch of the armed forces or with a ship or squadron crest. Schlüter Uniforms is even happy to fulfil requests for a date to be embroidered into the wedding suit or the realisation of other personal notes. Personal dialogue with the customer before, during and after the purchase of a uniform is a matter of course. A small personalised letter is enclosed with every order and shows our appreciation.

The company in Bad Zwischenahn now has six employees. When selecting her employees, Kathrin Schlüter emphasises a positive attitude towards the Bundeswehr and healthy patriotism. The hierarchies are flat, bureaucracy is unknown. After all, the customer and their wishes take centre stage. Quality is a decisive factor, which is why only high-quality fabrics from Germany, Italy and Portugal are considered for the production of the uniforms. In recent years, uniforms have not only been produced for members of the German Armed Forces. Airlines, shipping companies and members of other German authorities now also wear Schlüter uniforms.

When asked which branch of the armed forces predominates in her customer base, the Franconian-born woman smiles, but names the navy and the army in equal measure. Surprisingly, the young officers at the Bundeswehr universities can be found in large numbers in the customer register. The reasons are obvious: a clothing allowance from the employer, a customised starter package within the financial framework and a change in the fashion and quality standards of young officers.

Kathrin Schlüter has successfully filled a gap in the market with her high-quality and customisable uniforms. Driven by the success of her young company, she continues to place the customer at the centre of her activities.

Daniel Angres