In the fall of 2023, the Schöpflin family, together with the advisory board of the Schöpflin Foundation, commissioned a scientific investigation with the aim of examining the history of the Schöpflin mail order company and the entrepreneurial family during the Nazi dictatorship. In the fall of 2025, the Society for Business History (GUG) in Frankfurt presented its study »Schöpflin during the Third Reich«.

The study focuses on the founders of the textile manufacturer Wilhelm Schöpflin, Haagen and the later mail order company Wilhelm Schöpflin (1881-1952) and his wife Wilhelmine Schöpflin (1884-1975) as well as their two sons Hans Schöpflin (1906-1985) and Rudolf Schöpflin (1910-1978). The study examines the political orientation of the owners, whether the company profited economically from the Nazi dictatorship, participated in »Aryanization«, or employed forced laborers.

»As a foundation committed to a vibrant, resilient democracy and a diverse society, we believe it is essential to know and transparently present the history of the Schöpflin company and family during the Nazi dictatorship«, says Tim Göbel, Chief Executive Officer of the Schöpflin Foundation. To fulfil this responsibility, we have commissioned a scientific analysis of the historical sources.« The Schöpflin Foundation finances its annual activities from the business efforts of Hans W. Schöpflin (born 1941). Hans W. Schöpflin, who comes from a well-known family of entrepreneurs, achieved financial success in the early 1980s as a venture capitalist in the United States.

The GUG study concludes that the Schöpflin family was »integrated into the Nazi system« from the 1930s onwards through party memberships and other functions in Nazi organizations. According to the study, the Schöpflin family's companies—the textile manufacturer Haagen, Wilhelm Schöpflin, and Gebr. Grossmann GmbH—and thus their owners did not profit from direct business with the Nazi regime, »above all, however, not from war-related production and the use of forced laborers that was usually associated with it.« According to the sources, there are three cases for taking advantage of Jews. Here, according to historian Dr. Schneider-Braunberger, »the family members were classified as profiteers; however, no economic ‘benefit’ for the family was derived from the business performance after the Second World War.«

»Need to adress difficult chapters as well«
»The present study that has now been presented helps me to better understand the Nazi era and affects me deeply. I regret that we did not talk to our family personally about what happened when it was still possible«, says Hans W. Schöpflin, founder and chair of the board of the Schöpflin Foundation. »At the same time, I am convinced that it is absolutely necessary to deal with difficult chapters of one's own past and to take responsibility for what happened. The results of the investigation reinforce my belief that we, as a foundation, must oppose nationalism and authoritarian thinking. We stand for cosmopolitanism and democracy.«

The GUG study is based on various archival sources from Germany and France. In addition, specialist literature on the Nazi era, the history of the city of Lörrach, and the history of the company was evaluated. There is no Schöpflin family or company archive.

»It is extremely meaningful that we now have some answers to our many questions, even if the archives can never provide us with a complete picture. Dealing with this silent chapter of our own history has brought us closer together as a family. We have talked about the results and our memories in different constellations and across generations«, says Dr. Lisl Schöpflin. She is the great-granddaughter of the company's founders and deputy chair of the board of the Schöpflin Foundation. »The study shows us how important it is that we continue to actively and courageously promote a tolerant, diverse, and democratic society every day, between people and our communities. «

Initial considerations have already been made as to how the study results can be incorporated into the work of the Schöpflin Foundation. One idea is a new series of events on regional remembrance culture, which will focus on the history of the Schöpflin entrepreneurial family against the backdrop of regional history in southern Baden.

Read the study here.