The Mayr family celebrates the company anniversary

The renowned family business Mayr power transmission has had an eventful last couple of weeks: The company celebrated its 125th anniversary in July with a big ceremony followed by a family party. In addition to all the employees from the Mauerstetten site and their families, guests from politics, business and society as well as representatives of all Mayr subsidiaries and representative offices worldwide were invited. The Mayr representatives met beforehand for the International Sales Meeting, during which they were able to exchange information on new strategies, products and applications. 

“Firmly rooted in the Allgäu region and at home all over the world” – this is how Ferdinand Mayr, CEO and Managing Partner, describes the family business Mayr power transmission. Just how deeply rooted the company is as one of the most important employers in the region became clear at the big ceremony marking the 125th anniversary of the company. After a lively dance performance by the kindergarten children from St. Vitus in the immediate vicinity of the plant, Managing Director Günther Klinger welcomed the numerous guests from politics, business and society in the marquee. He extended his special welcome not only to all Mayr subsidiaries and representatives abroad, but above all to the employees, the foundation of the company. He was particularly pleased to welcome the former Mayr employees attending the event, “who did pioneering work”. Günther Klingler spoke of a proud anniversary as a small mill carpenter’s workshop had developed into a crisis-proof, stable and internationally successful company. Today, the company is a grown Mayr family and the “We-Mayr” spirit is tangible every day, Klingler emphasized. A digital tour around the globe then followed, with all eight Mayr subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and the USA presenting themselves and sending their anniversary greetings. 

Stability and reliability even in extraordinary times: CFO Christian Illig (left) and Managing Director Günther Klingler (right) talking on stage.

Lived traditions and progressive spirit

Mayr power transmission is a company whose business philosophy and products stand for both safety and reliability. After all, safety brakes and clutches from Mauerstetten are components that must reliably ensure the protection and safety of people and also material in the machines and systems. In other words, components that precisely and instantly interrupt movements in an emergency, brake to a standstill or maintain specific positions with millimetre precision. Guest speaker Karl Haeusgen, President of the VDMA, was also impressed by the long history of the family business. At the same time, he emphasized: “Anyone walking through the door at Mayr today sees a company that lives in the here and now. Modern architecture, state-of-the-art production technology, innovative products and solutions, edge of technology.” The supposed contradiction between lived tradition and lived modernity has been resolved, Haeusgen continued. 

Around 50 guests from Mayr subsidiaries and representative offices around the world traveled to Mauerstetten to attend the International Sales Meeting and to dissuss new strategies, products and applications.

The anniversary year marks the beginning of a new era at the helm of the company

Today, the company Mayr power transmission is managed by the fifth generation. Ferdinand Mayr has been managing the company together with his grandfather Fritz Mayr and Günther Klingler already since the end of 2018. Günther Klingler joined the family business back in 1980, was appointed to the management in 1991 and has been Managing Director of Mayr power transmission since 2006. Before Günther Klingler enters his well-deserved retirement next year after more than 40 years with the company, he has already handed over the position of CEO to Ferdinand Mayr this year. Günther Klingler will continue to be part of the management team until he retires, and will actively support and advise during the change process. Karl Haeusgen called Klingler a major asset as he helped shape and lead the company with a combination of loyalty and a sense of tradition on the one hand, and professionalism and self-confidence on the other. “Grandfather, manager, grandson. Three people who have trusted each other confidently and thus have prepared everything perfectly for the future of Mayr as a professional, traditional and at the same time modern family business.” The importance of stability and continuity is also demonstrated by the fact that, since 01.05.2022, the long-standing Head of Finance and Human Resources, Christian Illig, has completed the management team in the position of CFO. 

Major tribute: When senior boss Fritz Mayr (96) appeared unexpectedly and unannounced in the marquee despite the hustle and bustle and the heat, he was welcomed with a standing ovation by both staff and guests. He was pushed by his son, Fritz Mayr junior.

Hidden Champion 

Korbinian Mayr-Kennerknecht, freelance author, writer and brother of Ferdinand Mayr, gave an insight into the family behind the large company presenting his company chronicle “Hidden Champion – Von der Mühlschreinerei zum Weltmarktführer” (“Hidden Champion – From a mill carpenter’s workshop to a world market leader”). He referred to the mindset of both the company founder Christian Mayr, his great-great-grandfather, as well as his grandfather Fritz Mayr: Asking the right questions, allowing things to happen, sometimes saying “no” and leaving room for creativity. During the research for the book, he was also supported by former Mayr employees such as Monika Haug, a retiree with 48 years of service, who gave an insight into how she started her career in the 1950s: “If I made a mistake, I had to work Saturday mornings,” she explained with a smile on her face. “But I have to say, it was always nice to work here.” CFO Christian Illig emphasized: “The employees are our most valuable asset and probably the most important success factor of the company. We provide the space to develop with the company.” Korbinian Mayr-Kennerknecht made it clear that his grandfather Fritz Mayr had ultimately initiated the change from a craftsman’s business to an industrial enterprise and had thus helped the company to achieve its current status: an internationally active company with a total of over 1,350 employees and a world market leader in its product sector. So the moment when senior boss Fritz Mayr (96) appeared unexpectedly and unannounced in the marquee despite the hustle and bustle and the heat, and was welcomed enthusiastically and with a standing ovation by both staff and guests was truly emotional. A major, sincere tribute to the man who laid the foundation of today’s success. 

Ferdinand Mayr, CEO and Managing Partner (right) on stage with apprentices, who presented their wishes for the future of the company on behalf of the company.

Reliable partner – also in the future

Ferdinand Mayr used his speech to pause, reflect and look to the future. The future is full of potential, he said. A plan helps to move in the right direction, but it has become clear, especially considering unforeseen events such as the COVID19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine: “Nothing can be planned with finality.” Furthermore, he emphasized: “I would like to promote ‘self-aware’ actions today, in order to not have a future tomorrow that no one wanted. Today, in our actions, WE are the future of the Mayr company.” After the speech, eight apprentices, representing the future of the company so to say, shared their wishes on the big stage. At the end of the event, the Works Council presented as a gift a picture of the company, composed of the heads of all employees. The Mayr band under the direction of Richard Neuhauser provided the music for the festivities. 

Series of events to mark the company’s anniversary is a resounding success

The two days before the official ceremony, the International Sales Meeting took place in the mayr.com Communications Center. Around 50 guests from Mayr subsidiaries and representative offices around the world traveled to Mauerstetten to attend the event. At the meeting, they were able to exchange information about new strategies, products and applications, as well as renew long-standing business relationships – especially after the COVID19 break – or even establish new contacts. The anniversary celebrations culminated in a big staff and family party the following weekend.