As a Russian Jewish immigrant arriving to the United States in the late 1800’s, Sam Schwartz set out to make a name for himself. He built a small business with a horse and wagon collecting scrap and junk throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Ever the entrepreneur, Sam identified an opportunity to create industrial products using cotton cloth, turning it into buffing wheels for the Aluminum Industry. Sam made enough money to send for his young family to join him in the Unites States. It is from this humble beginning that Schwartz Manufacturing was born.

Sam’s son, Simon Schwartz, followed in his dad’s footsteps and joined the company, along with his two brothers Bernard and Myron, eventually becoming sole owner in the late 1940’s. Under Simon’s leadership, Schwartz Manufacturing introduced Fray-Seal branded bandages for the cheese industry. Over time, Schwartz added milk filters to the product line under the brand names Elgrade and Perfection. Focusing on quality and operating with integrity, Schwartz soon became a leading supplier to the dairy industry.

In the early 1950s Simon’s eldest son, Harlan, became the third generation to preside over the company. Harlan became fascinated with an emerging technology in nonwovens and saw the opportunity to create a better milk filter. Soon Schwartz had built a private mill and started manufacturing a proprietary fabric that captured sediment without compromising milk flow through the filter. The Tuffy brand was born.

Harlan’s daughter, Alessandra Schwartz, is now the 4th generation to own and lead Schwartz Manufacturing. With her experience and the support of dedicated staff, she continues to build on the Schwartz legacy of success. For more than 100 years, Schwartz has provided superior solutions through integrity, quality and innovation. And this mission will continue to guide the company into its next century.