Our History

German technology leadership for decades

As a traditional German engineering company, we focus on the development and production of cutting and welding machines for more than 117 years. Our knowledge represents a high degree of investment security to our customers. We rely on our roots as a German, family-owned company and commit to the values of the Messer World.

1898
Adolf Messer starts with the production of acetylene generators and gas lighting in Höchst, near Frankfurt /Main

1903
Development of the first cutting torch with oxygen-acetylene mixture

1908
Launch of the "Original Messer" range of oxy-acetylene products

1924-1950
Development and manufacture of equipment for electric welding, welding electrodes and large cutting machines for shipbuilding. Since 1950 strong geographic expansion to North and Central America and Europe.

1953
Dr. Hans Messer took over the management

1965
Merger of Adolf Messer GmbH with Knapsack Griesheim AG to Messer Griesheim GmbH,
1/3 of the shares belong to the Messer family, 2/3 of the shares are owned by Hoechst AG

1969
Messer presented the first laser cutting system at the Essen Welding & Cutting Exhibition

1972
Messer delivers world's first CNC cutting machine to the Krupp company in Essen

1991
Sale of European welding machines and electrodes business to the Lincoln Electric

1999
Sale of Messer Cutting & Welding AG - Messer Industrie GmbH (MIG) buys 2/3 of Hoechst AG shares.

1998
Stefan Messer became member of the Board

1999
Sale of Messer Cutting & Welding AG - Messer Industrie GmbH (MIG) acquires 2/3 share of Hoechst AG

2000
Merger of Castolin + Eutectic and Messer Cutting & Welding to MEC Holding GmbH under majority stake of the Carlyle Group

2005
Messer Industrie Holding GmbH acquires MEC group from the Carlyle Group.

2008
Foundation of software company MesserSoft GmbH, specialized on production and business oriented software products and services

2011
The German Messer Cutting & Welding GmbH became Messer Cutting Systems GmbH

New Vision and Mission with World of Excellence