All in all, it still came as a surprise to most: Müller’s first company acquisition. “As part of our growth strategy implementation, it was clear that, sooner or later, we would need to increase our manufacturing depth. We analysed the divisions, and it quickly became obvious that we could create significant added value for our customers if we had our own sheet metal processing expertise. The fundamental decision is always: make or buy – and we chose the latter,” explained Martin Müller, Managing Partner of Müller Hydraulik GmbH, going on to say: “We spent a number of years looking for a partner who understands, and can do, precision and efficiency. We were looking for a company that suited us in size. A company that had an impeccable reputation in sheet metal processing, and in addition would ideally bring us another exciting business area.” After a long exploratory process, the initial discussions with LMB Ludwig began. Even the due diligence process was initiated in 2019. “I saw in Mr Müller the enthusiasm and foresight that is required to move the company forward. Added to this was his dedicated, highly qualified team. I know that my company, my legacy, is in the best possible hands here, and that is something that pleases me very much,” said company founder Hans-Peter Ludwig. 
// Patented self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) holder with a hydraulic spring
Founded in 1993, the company enjoys an excellent reputation in the field of metal processing and assembly production, especially in the area of commercial vehicle peripherals. Renowned vehicle manufacturers such as Magirus rely on the Upper Swabian production plant and its individual, high-quality and safe, efficient solutions. The products are always characterised by their clever details as well as the level of precision. For example, the patented self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) holder with a hydraulic spring that enables the device to be attached more quickly ensures that thousands of firefighters and rescuers are ready for calls faster and more safely every day. “With the strategic acquisition and integration of LMB Ludwig, we are sustainably strengthening our position in CL high-pressure. But we are also building a second, truly meaningful business area. When Herr Ludwig showed us the commercial vehicle solutions such as the SCBA holder or the flexibly mountable hygiene stations, we were impressed. It’s a great field, an extremely relevant area. With a lot of potential. And we are delighted to be developing it further – with our design and innovation requirements as well,” said Martin Müller.
// Flexible hygiene station
Founded in 1993, the company enjoys an excellent reputation in the field of metal processing and assembly production, especially in the area of commercial vehicle peripherals. Renowned vehicle manufacturers such as Magirus rely on the Upper Swabian production plant and its individual, high-quality and safe, efficient solutions. The products are always characterised by their clever details as well as the level of precision. For example, the patented self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) holder with a hydraulic spring that enables the device to be attached more quickly ensures that thousands of firefighters and rescuers are ready for calls faster and more safely every day. “With the strategic acquisition and integration of LMB Ludwig, we are sustainably strengthening our position in CL high-pressure. But we are also building a second, truly meaningful business area. When Herr Ludwig showed us the commercial vehicle solutions such as the SCBA holder or the flexibly mountable hygiene stations, we were impressed. It’s a great field, an extremely relevant area. With a lot of potential. And we are delighted to be developing it further – with our design and innovation requirements as well,” said Martin Müller.
“The use of our laser cutting machines allows us to meet even complicated and demanding external and internal customer requirements – in the shortest possible time and the best quality.” With the internal customer requirements, Peter Blumenthal is, of course, targeting the parts that Müller will itself be using in its new Division I – Machine Tool Peripherals for the combistream, combiloop and new product areas. “We’ve been working flat out on the news for 2021 for months. This is where our customers will benefit from our own sheet metal processing expertise – not only from the attractive price/performance ratios combined with the highest quality, but also from the clever new modular systems. But I don’t want to give away more just yet,” says Stefan Mauth, Technical Director at Müller, “because after all, we have only just launched a CL compact system revolution for large machine tools!”
// In July 2020, Peter Blumenthal joined the management team as Head of Müller Division II – i.e., commercial vehicle peripherals and sheet metal processing. The experienced mechanical engineer and former member of the Daimler research and development team draws on more than 20 years of industry experience. We’re looking forward to a future together!