This year it has been 125 years since Hans Oskar Mähler founded what is now Mählers, the market leading plow manufacturer. Although times have changed and old technology has been replaced by new, the company remains at the top of the tree. Backed by a solid history and with their eyes firmly focussed on the future, Mählers will celebrate the company’s success on March 20 in Rossön, Sweden.

In 1895 Hans Oskar Mähler started his forging workshop in Hoting, Sweden. Something that would turn out to be only the start of a long success story. Initially, operations focused on repairs and new manufacturing of agricultural tools and timber sleds. In the mid-1940s, Hans Oskar’s four sons stepped in as partners, in what then became Mähler & Söner. It was during the following years that the foundation was laid for Mählers’ current activities.

“Sometimes I wonder what Hans Oskar Mähler would have said if he knew that the business he once started would continue to thrive 125 years later. We all feel a great responsibility to continue to develop the business and secure it for the future. The fact that we have the opportunity to celebrate the company’s history and success together with employees, customers and partners, is anything but commonplace,” says Ingemar Nyberg, CEO of Mählers.

From Hoting to Rossön
In addition to the snow plows that the company has for a long time made itself famous for, a number of products were successfully launched on the market in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the rotary cutter and the first slush plow. During the same period, the snow removal and road maintenance products were further developed, and Mählers was generally regarded at this time as by far the foremost player in the industry. As a result of the company’s growth, the business relocated from Hoting to larger premises in Rossön, located in northern Jämtland, Sweden, where the company is still present today.

“The expansion the company saw during this time is hard to imagine. The company grew not only with new premises but also with many new faces. An interesting part of the company’s history is that in 1979 the employees bought out the company from the brothers, which may be said to be quite unique if we look at today’s commerce,” says Ingemar Nyberg.

Engcon enters as principal owner – smart products launched
During the 1990s and early 2000s there were a number of restructurings and changes of ownership, and in 2006 tiltrotator manufacturer Engcon joined as a partner. Three years later, in 2009, Engcon bought more shares in the company and thus became the majority owner of Mählers; a relationship that still persists today.

“When we went in as owners, I had an idea to broaden the range with some smarter products. The Flexiway diagonal plow, the Caway side plow system and the MC3 control system with the possibility of remote support are just a few examples of the products developed in recent years. Since the need and interest in products in these areas is very high, we can now conclude that the investment that was made was right,” says Stig Engström, founder and owner at Engcon.

Another recent milestone is the formation of the sales company Mählers AS in Norway in 2014, which has meant a marked increase in Mählers’ market share in the Norwegian market.

Looking to the future
To celebrate 125 years of success, Mählers, on March 20 between 12:00 pm to 16:00 pm will be organising an open house at the factory in Rossön where the company will demonstrate how plows are manufactured. There will also be a live demonstration of ploughing with horse and a fully equipped truck with the latest technology. Visitors will also see the latest products and meet the Master Chef finalist Emilia Nilsson who will be on site to sign her new book “Pangmat”. Last but not least, snowmobile skiing will be available for the children and snowmobile dealers will show up their latest snow mobiles and accessories for those who are interested. In other words, it promises to be an eventful day in Rossön.

“I look forward to a lot of people attending. We will not only look back at what has been done, but also talk about how we want the company to be in the future. It will be a fantastic day that I hope we will all remember as an important part of Mählers’ history,” concludes Ingemar Nyberg.