Mahr | Company History

From visionary pioneer
to global player

Starting out as a small family business in the Swabian town of Esslingen, Mahr has stood for innovative measuring technology across the world for almost 160 years. A leading company in the literal sense of the word, we have developed from a visionary pioneer to a global player.

We are proud to have reached and witnessed many technical milestones and we will continue to pursue the goal we have set for ourselves while embracing the technologies of the future.

1861

Foundation

Carl Mahr founds the parent company in Esslingen am Neckar. The first product is the slide gage, a tool that is to become valuable and indispensable in the years to come, especially during the expansion of the railroad network.

1871

Introduction of the meter

One of the most important dates in Mahr history: The introduction of the meter, and with it the standardization of inches, feet, cubits, rods and miles, means that Mahr can sell its meter rulers and slide gages to workshops and factories throughout the region.

1908

The rocking horse

Mahr develops the first mechanical length measuring instrument that achieves an accuracy of 1/1000 mm when read off the vernier: the rocking horse.

1917

German Standardization Committee

Oscar Mahr, son of company founder Carl Mahr who died in 1899, is co-founder of the German standardization committee.

1936

Feinprüf GmbH established in Göttingen, Germany

After the death of his father Oscar, Carl Mahr II successfully expands the family business: the factory in Göttingen is opened. Business is flourishing, Mahr's punctuality and accuracy is highly valued by customers.

1970s

Start of internationalization

The foundation is laid for Mahr's international career, which begins in Charlotte (USA). From here, under the management of Thomas Keidel, the great-great-grandson of the company founder, Mahr adds locations around the world and expands its product range.

2012

Economic upswing

After turbulent years and events such as the financial crisis in 2009, Mahr finds its way back to its old strength. Shareholder Stephan Gais leads the company as CEO and Chairman of the Management Board. Supported by the resumption of the economic upswing, he leads Mahr to the highest sales year to that point in the company's history.

2016

Patented wireless technology

Mahr's hand-held electronic measuring tools are equipped with wireless technology, which is a real innovation.

2017-2019

Expansion of management

The management team is restructured. In addition to CEO and Chairman Stephan Gais, the management team includes three other members. In 2016, Manuel Hüsken joins as authorized signatory and VP Global Sales. From 2019 onwards, he leads sales, marketing, application technology, service and the Engineered Solutions division as Managing Director. For the Mahr Group, he is appointed CSO and member of the Group Executive Board.

2021-2022

Digitalization & new markets

One of the strengths of the globally active Mahr Group is its innovative strength, especially for the aerospace, mechanical engineering, automotive, medical technology, photonics and electronics industry, and the energy sector. There is movement in the world: Topics such as electromobility and digitalization are becoming increasingly important and are thus part of Mahr's strategy for the future. CEO Stephan Gais moves to the Advisory Board of the Mahr Group in 2021 and hands over the position of CEO and Chairman of the Management Board to Manuel Hüsken.

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