Welcome to KUPA – Shaping the Future Together

About KUPA

Who we are

The KUPA Group is a textile specialist operating across Europe, with a focus on sleepwear, loungewear, underwear, babywear, and outerwear. As an experienced licensing partner, we develop and distribute collections featuring internationally recognized brands and characters, managing the entire process from concept to market.

Sustainability plays a central role in everything we do. Through recognized certifications and the continuous improvement of our processes, we take responsibility throughout the entire textile value chain.

Expert in supply chains

Global supply chains the smart way

Through globally structured supply chains, KUPA ensures efficient, sustainable, and reliable delivery of products at fair prices. From development to the final product, KUPA manages every step – from planning and production to sales and logistics. By doing so, KUPA relies on cutting-edge technologies, international experience, and the highest quality standards. As a customer, you benefit from a trusted partner who manages the entire process and delivers solutions tailored to your needs.

As a Licensing Partner

Licensing Partner for Popular Brands

The KUPA Group is one of the experienced licensing partners in the European textile market. With a diverse portfolio of internationally recognized brands and characters, we develop textile collections for a wide range of product categories and target groups. Leveraging our expertise in product development, sourcing, quality management, and logistics, we create successful licensed collections that authentically reflect each brand’s identity while meeting the requirements of modern retail. From the initial concept to final delivery, we manage the entire process and ensure high-quality products, efficient execution, and reliable market supply.

  • Our values

The KUPA Group stands for more than just economic success.
Our corporate culture is built on shared values that shape our actions, our collaboration, and our decisions.
With ideas, commitment, and team spirit, we are creating a company that grows – for employees, customers, and society.

  • Our visions

Our visions are strategic and future-oriented, aimed at providing our customers with sustainable, responsible, and high-quality supply across Europe.

  • Our competences

Our expertise is diverse: from development and design to quality and sales, all the way to logistics – we manage the entire process and ensure smooth implementation from A to Z.

As a leader, I am only as strong as my team, and my team is only as good as my leadership

Sandra Zimmermann, Department Head Produktion
Managing Directors

Success happens when everyone contributes.

Department Heads

Competent in all areas

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Finance

Thomas Rasche

I have been part of the KUPA team since 2016 and, in my role as Commercial Director, I am responsible for the finance division. Together with my accounting team, I ensure smooth payment and booking processes as well as continuous liquidity and compliance, while working with the controlling team to make sure we keep a close eye on our company’s financial position and can make well-informed decisions.

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Sales

Simon Korner

Since 2021, I have been part of the KUPA Group. After starting as a Project Manager in Sales and working as Junior Key Account for licensed underwear and menswear, I have been heading the Sales and Design division since 2024. Together with my Key Account Managers and designers, I am responsible for managing our customer relationships and driving the creative development of our collections.

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Production

Sandra Zimmermann

I have been part of the KUPA Group since 2006. Today, as Head of Department, I am responsible for the specialist areas of garment technology, quality, advertising, order management, and our sewing department. Close collaboration with my team, openness, and a reliable attitude are particularly important to me—values that enable us to successfully overcome even challenging situations together.

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Digitalisation

Peter Sturm

*22.11.1970

† 28.09.2025

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Distra Fashion

Julia Schäfer

I have been part of the KUPA team since October 2024 and, as Head of Department at Distra Fashion, I am responsible for everything from product development to production. In addition to organizing day-to-day operations, my main focus is on sales. Furthermore, I support strategic projects and work closely with the executive management.

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Logistics, Sustainability, Process management

Steven Schulz

Since 2024, I have been part of the KUPA Group, overseeing sustainability, logistics, and process management. My focus is on continuously developing our supply chains in a future‑proof and responsible way, while making processes efficient and transparent. I work closely with cross‑functional teams to implement sustainable solutions and continuously improve structures. What matters most to me is combining environmental responsibility with economic thinking to create long‑term value for our company.

Philosophie

Sustainability and social responsability

Environmental awareness, promotion of recycling, and responsible action.

A modern, globally oriented approach

An attractive corporate image for employees, openness to innovation and diversity.

Performance orientation and appreciation

Recognition of individual contributions, promotion of development and motivation.

The history of KUPA

From vision to diversity

1990

Founding

As a medium-sized, owner-managed corporate group, we look back on many years of expertise in the textile trade.
As early as the 1990s, the former owners established the first business relationships with customers.

2002

Expansion through Distra

With the founding of Distra Warenhandel in 2002, the expansion into the affordable segment for women’s, men’s, and children’s outerwear was consistently pursued.

2005

The beginning of a strong corporate group

In 2005, KUPA GmbH & Co. KG was established as the parent company of the corporate group. With the integration of the Ludwigshafen-based lingerie company chicca Body-Fashion in the same year, the textile product range was significantly expanded once again.

2015

Our expansion: New markets, New opportunities

The establishment of our subsidiary “DVC Limited” in China and Bangladesh, as well as the founding of our service subsidiary NorisCon Management, represent further milestones in our company’s history.

2016

Licensee for a wide range of designs

Our core partners include Disney, Mattel, RTL, and many more.

2022

Our Corporate Group continues to grow

The KUPA company keeps expanding. Julius Huepeden, a traditional medium-sized tradehouse, located in Hamburg, becomes our new subsidiary and enriches our product range. urrently, around 100 employees in Germany and approximately 240 dedicated colleagues worldwide are engaged in innovative and responsible tasks within the KUPA Group.

Today

Together into the future

Today, the KUPA Group combines expertise, dynamism, and a strong sense of responsibility – reliably supplying customers across Europe with textiles and everyday goods while maintaining the highest quality standards. Our history is not just a look back at the past, but the foundation for what we aim to achieve together in the future.

Career

Join our team !

KUPA welcomes every new team member! With us, you’ll find a warm and friendly team, exciting tasks, and the opportunity to truly make a difference. Together, we create a sustainable future—with responsibility, creativity, and enjoyment in our work. Come join us and become part of a strong community.

Sustainability

Sustainability as a matter of course

KUPA assumes social, ecological, and economic responsibility. Our goal: sustainable production conditions throughout the entire supply chain. We do not see sustainability as a short-term trend, but as a long-term commitment to our employees, partners, and the environment. Through continuous improvement of our processes and standards, we create value that goes beyond purely economic aspects.