As one of the five children of Johannes and Luise Schmalz, Artur Schmalz grew up in Glatten. From a very early age, he experienced the establishment, the production and the development of his father's razor-blade factory. 1929, he completed his apprenticeship as a mechanic and then went on to study mechanical engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Esslingen, graduating in 1935.

The newly fledged engineer then worked for Mauser in Oberndorf before joining his father's company in the autumn of 1939. During the second world war, his conscription into the army was interrupted by several injuries and illnesses. In 1945, he finally took over the management of the company from his father, who was ill by then.

After the war, razor blades were gradually replaced by wet electric shavers. Artur Schmalz soon realised that he would have to search for and develop new products. He was characterised by his wide-ranging technical knowledge and an extremely practical disposition. His technical dexterity won him several prizes. Last but not least, his invention of the drawbar castor wheel for trailers provided the initial impetus for the further developments of the company. Artur Schmalz converted the company from the production of razor blades to motor vehicles and transport devices. This was followed by the production of trailers for agricultural tractors, vans for parcel delivery and mobile stairways for passengers and crew for use at airports. The modular paint-drying trolleys and many other transport trolleys were added to the product range, and are still part of it today.

With his efforts, Artur Schmalz had a decisive influence on the company and laid the foundation-stone for J. Schmalz GmbH as it exists today.

With about 600 employees all over the world and 16 foreign subsidiaries, J Schmalz GmbH is today one of the most successful companies in the region. It is well-known for its main area of business, the production and marketing of vacuum technology, wherever workpieces need to be moved and transported ergonomically in production processes or clamped for machining.

Artur Schmalz and his wife Elfriede married in Ludwigsburg in 1953. His wife was a loving partner and also a great help in his work. Her death in December 2005 was a great loss for him. Artur und Elfriede had three children: a daughter Gabriele Schedler, who is a graduate pedagogue, and two sons, Dr Kurt Schmalz and Wolfgang Schmalz, who are now the managing directors of the company. For recuperation and relaxation, Artur Schmalz liked to work in the family's own forest. He passed on his dedication to nature and to forestry and agriculture to the following generations. For more than 60 years, his greatest passion was gliding. He also kept fit with cross-country skiing and completed his last marathon at the ripe age of 83 years.

Up to the age of 95, Artur Schmalz came into the office every day. Until his death, he remained very interested in the company's business activities and was always a valuable and indefatigable source of advice.