Rheinmetall Automotive was awarded a patent for an oil-fired metal-smelting furnace, went on to produce smelting furnaces besides processing aluminum scrap and in 1917, moved to Neckarsulm where he expanded his enterprise and also manufactured blank pistons for the auto industry.
Schmidt had served an apprenticeship at NSU in Neckarsulm and at Austin in Birmingham, UK. He was awarded a patent for an oil-fired metal-smelting furnace, went on to produce smelting furnaces besides processing aluminum scrap. 
