How it all began: The search for the right partners
After I had developed my first outdoor carpets, it quickly became clear:
If I want to consistently deliver high quality, I need manufacturers that:
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have genuine expertise in the field of outdoor carpets,
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work reliably
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be able to implement beautiful designs
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and above all: deliver consistent quality .
I visited various European companies, held discussions, ordered samples, tried everything out — and yes, that cost a lot of money. But I wasn't completely satisfied with some things: the quality wasn't always right, the presentation wasn't consistent, or the overall feeling just wasn't right.
And this gut feeling is extremely important to me.
The thought of India had been in my mind for a long time, but with reservations.
India was a topic that interested me from an early age.
It boasts a centuries-old textile and carpet tradition — craftsmanship that is rarely found elsewhere .
But:
India doesn't exactly have a reputation for the highest reliability. Everyone I asked said:
"We have stopped working with India."
But I didn't let that deter me.
Because no matter the country, there are good companies and not-so-good companies. And I wanted to find the right ones.
Taking a step into the unknown – and a high financial risk.
I knew: If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it right .
So I invested — a lot.
I have:
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various designs developed
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Different strengths tested,
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Versions with and without fringes were ordered.
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produced in many color variations ,
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and in the end over 1000 m² of carpets were ordered.
And that's despite the fact that at the time I only knew the company through conversations and video calls.
It was a complete leap of faith.
I sent money to India — and then had to wait 4–6 months until production was finished.
The moment of truth: One truck, nine pallets and 70-kilo carpets
One day, a huge truck was parked in front of my warehouse.
Nine large pallets. Each one full of outdoor carpets.
Back then I had no pallet jack, no structure, no professional warehouse — nothing at all.
I carried every single carpet up two floors.
Some carpets were 3×4 meters in size and weighed 60–70 kilos .
I was completely exhausted after that day.
But: It was one of the most important days of my business, for me and for the Martin Gabriel brand.
Because this is where my own outdoor carpet business began.
First customers, first hotels, first mistakes – and a lot learned.
Over time I have:
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furniture stores
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private customers
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Hotels
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planners
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and architects
worked.
I learned what works, what doesn't work, which colors are popular, which are less so, what different countries prefer — and how different tastes can be.
For example, I was told at the beginning:
"Fringes never work on outdoor carpets."
And those fringed rugs were exactly the first ones I sold.
That's life.
Why India is the best partner today
Of course, India is far away.
But I have learned:
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Good companies are everywhere .
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Bad companies too.
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But close partnerships , trust and quality** arise when you persevere and invest — financially and emotionally.
Today I have:
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the right manufacturers
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very close personal contacts
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a reliable supply chain
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rigorous quality controls
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perfectly coordinated color and design palettes
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and outdoor carpets that meet my requirements
I learned everything from scratch:
Transport, shipping, customs, paperwork, warehousing, packaging, quality control — simply everything.
And that's precisely why I can offer a product today that I stand behind 100%.
What this path means for my clients
This long journey has led to me being where I am today:
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can offer fast delivery times
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Stock available in Switzerland
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can offer high-quality outdoor carpets that are extremely durable
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have designs that are based on real needs , not trends
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and above all: bring real practical experience
That's what makes my product range so strong today – and sets me apart from many other suppliers.
