In 1838 Magdeburg’s history as one of the manufacturing and mechanical engineering centers in Germany began with establishing the first manufacturing company, the “Magdeburger-Dampfschiffahrts-Compagnie” with the core products: steam boats and machines, locomotives, boilers and equipment for sugar production plants and distilleries.
The following years the establishment of many other valve companies followed. One of the most successful companies was “Schäffer & Co. Mechanische Werkstatt” (later named “Schäffer & Budenberg”). The patent for the manometer made this company famous in Germany, Europe and all the way to the Americas.
Traditionsstandort Magdeburg
The concentration of engineering excellence and expertise as well as manufacturing know-how established Magdeburg as the leading area of the German valve manufacturing. Magdeburg’s valves were demanded and produced for the petrochemical and energy producing sectors worldwide.
Even though the production facilities were mostly destroyed during World War II, Magdeburg worked to find back to its strengths by working together. In 1948 the
Magdeburger valve manufacturers joined together to form the company “Magdeburger Armaturen- und Messgerätefabrik”.
The “Magdeburger Armaturen- und Messgerätefabrik” was the starting point for the development of Magdeburg into the valve manufacturing and research & development center within the newly formed GDR. In 1970 the “Magdeburger Armaturenwerke – MAW” was formed which represented the head-quarter of the 12 most important valve manufacturing facilities of the GDR. In the process MAW developed into the biggest valve manufacturer in Europe. Research and development of new products as well as manufacturing technology was an important aspect which led to very effective co-operations between researching institutions and the manufacturers.
In the years after the reunification of Germany this strong tradition of valve manufacturing has been continued by the establishment of new valve companies in and around Magdeburg who are using the excellent expertise, know how, resources and infrastructure in the region to keep developing new innovative products and solutions for the ever growing demands of the industries. As it has been the tradition in years past, these companies are working together, leading the region of Magdeburg further to national and international recognition.
With its core competencies: innovation, design and manufacturing of high quality industrial valves made in Magdeburg, MIAM is proud to be part of that tradition.