1730

In 1730, the son of a clergyman, Johann Theodor Möller, decides to begin processing and trading in copper in Warstein, a small village about 120 kilometers away from Bielefeld.
But the origins of the family date back to 1550. For almost 200 years, they were millers and clergymen. The family crest with a mill-wheel bears witness to this period.

1762

Johann Theodor Möller acquires his eighth site of activity, a copper-mill in Bielefeld. This marks a further phase of expansion for an already successful man, who has gained considerable experience in the trade in this most important raw material.
The second generation involves itself in international trade, which means that the copper-processing and -trade did not remain the Möller families’ only business for much.

1827

Theodor Adolf Möller founds the tannery and leather goods factory at that time one of the most modern of its kind. The trade mark “TM” became synonymous with quality in the leather industry.
The heir is a dynamic entrepreneur who branches out in new directions: capital participation and corporate activities and takes on socio-political obligations.

1860

Under the direction of Friedrich Möller, the company develops into an enormously diversified commercial enterprise. He and his son Theodor were cofounder of quite a few important big German companies.

1863

Dr.Karl Möller and his brother Theodor jointly founded in 1863 the engineering works « K. & Th. Möller ». The company’s products cover a wide range of equipment and machinery for all branches of industry.

1880

In 1880, it is the beginning of the leather belting. The two brothers took the opportunity to extend further the activities of “Leder Möller” as this branch of the company is well known in the market. Through modernization and mechanization, thanks in part to machinery from its own engineering works, “Leder Möller” is now able to increase its production capacity considerably and to fulfill large orders. Finally one consolidated its already established position in markets at home and abroad.
The brothers complement one another. Karl Möller, with strong social commitments and extreme scientific ambitions combined with broad engineering skills, is responsible for some remarkable and important technical innovations, such as the air filter and the hot air motor. Theodor von Möller, in the meantime ennobled by the last German Emperor was Prussian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry from 1900 till 1905. His skills in the fields of politics and economics, together with the technological expertise of his older brother as an additional input to guarantee commercial success of the business at the dawn of the twentieth century

1897

With the fifth generation the business grows significantly. A new belting factory is established. The “technical leather” product range is expanded. Large size belting manufacture begins. Möller products were exported as far as to China.

1929

The depression in the world economy has affected the Möller Engineering works strongly. This part of the group had to be sold. The tannery and the technical leather parts survived.

1936

A significant step to secure the future existence of Möller had been initiated by Gerd von Möller, the sixth generation in Möller business. Rubber V-Belts were developed to substitute the good old leather belts and the first molding machines to produce plastic parts were acquired. The Möllers gamble on a new macromolecular material (Duroplast), which experienced a boom in the following decades, as does their business. A plastic molding plant is set up.

1949

An injection moulding facility is inaugurated.
This was the beginning of a very successful development of Möller in the field of plastic technology.

1950

In the fifties, leather production for the shoe industry and for technical items, V-belts and plastic parts were the main pillars of the Möller business. In 1952, the first plastic parts for the interior of cars were produced for Mercedes in Stuttgart.

1960

In the sixties, the tannery is again completely modernized and has achieved a top level in the world of tanneries.

1980

The international expansion begins under the new leadership of Dr. Peter von Möller. He acquires plants in France (Châteauroux, Gamaches, St. Clément, Verrières-le-Buisson) and in Spain (Amurrio et Bilbao). Several factories are built in Europe, across the Altantic and, following the reunification of Germany, two plants are set up in the New « Länder ».

2007

Due to considerable changes in the market – leather products were more and more produced in far-away-countries – Möller therefore had to close the tannery after 180 years of existence.
As the big automotive customer asked more services from their suppliers we as a medium player in this field decided to concentrate our activities on fewer partners. So we sold all our 8 plants in France, Spain and Brazil, which have till then served Renault and PSA Group.

2014

Today, Möller Group is composed of 9 production sites and supplies with a wide range of all kinds of flexible parts the capital-goods industry. 80% of its business is done with the automotive industry concentrated on premium cars. China is the latest investment. The plant will start production soon.