Celebrating 50 Years of Partnership: Carnegie & Création Baumann
By Mandalin Hennessee
At Carnegie, we are committed to delivering innovative, high-performance products that inspire creativity and excellence across every market we serve. A key part of this success is our enduring partnership with Création Baumann. For 50 years, this renowned Swiss leader in textile design and manufacturing has helped us push the boundaries of design, sustainability, and functionality.
To mark this incredible milestone, we’re shining a spotlight on the visionary work of Création Baumann and the values that have shaped our longstanding collaboration. We recently sat down with Rolf Tschan, International Sales Executive at Création Baumann, to discuss what makes this partnership so exceptional and how their approach to design and sustainability continues to lead the industry.
Left: George Baumann at Carnegie's annual softball game with Bob Goldman (1980's)
Right: Cliff Goldman and Philippe Baumann at Carnegie's celebration of 30th anniversary of Carnegie/Baumann partnership (2004)
An Inside Look at Création Baumann
“Création Baumann operates with vertically integrated production, meaning every step—from yarn preparation to weaving and finishing—happens at our facility. Today, 50% of our entire collection is produced in Langenthal. Our design team works alongside production, and all textiles are stocked here in Switzerland, ensuring quality and efficiency. ”
Rolf Tschan, Création Baumann
MH: How does your facility prioritize sustainability and minimize environmental impact?
RT: Switzerland enforces strict environmental regulations, but we go even further. We’ve invested in heat recovery to reduce energy consumption and implemented advanced water treatment and air filtration systems for sustainability. As a Swiss family business, we’re committed to ecological, social, and economic responsibility, creating textiles that balance performance with environmental stewardship.
MH: What’s one fun fact about your design or manufacturing process that might surprise people?
RT: Visitors to our facility are often amazed that we still design, produce, and stock everything in-house—a rare approach for a brand with more than 130 years of tradition.
Looking Ahead: Trends & Innovations
MH: What trends are shaping the textile industry, and how is Création Baumann preparing for them?
RT: In the contract market, clients are seeking multi-functional solutions. We continue investing in acoustic innovations and other performance-driven textiles to enhance comfort in work and public spaces. Collaboration with supply chains, trend researchers, and clients helps us stay ahead of emerging needs.
MH: Can you share a standout project that highlights Création Baumann’s expertise?
RT: One of the most memorable projects was the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. We developed a custom drapery for Carnegie—a transparent curtain fabric hand-stitched with thousands of gold-colored paillettes. Beyond aesthetics, it provides exceptional heat and glare control, improving energy efficiency. This project embodies our textile expertise and the powerful synergy between Création Baumann, Carnegie, and our clients.
MH: Are there any recent achievements or innovations you're particularly proud of?
RT: We’re especially proud of Acoustic Divider Vario, our latest acoustic innovation. But our greatest achievement is seeing our textiles bring meaningful solutions to spaces worldwide. The success of our products, as seen in our project references, is what truly motivates and inspires us.
Stapferhaus in Lenzburg, Architect: Pool Architekten, Photo: Weisswert, Product: Acoustic Divider Vario
Looking to the Future
As we celebrate this 50-year partnership built on innovation and shared values, we’re excited to introduce the U.S. launch of Acoustic Divider Vario. This advanced acoustic drapery system merges textile aesthetics with cutting-edge sound insulation, creating quiet zones that reduce noise by up to 23 decibels—all with just three layers of fabric.
Reach out to a Carnegie Sales rep today to learn more.
About the Author
Mandalin Hennessee is a Designer at Carnegie, focusing on innovative solutions for upholstery, walls, and windows. She is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of creative design to create environmentally conscious and aesthetically captivating spaces.