Celebrating a Century of Excellence: Mahlkönig’s First 100 Years


The Mahlkönig Modell 4 DSR, circa 1930

Within the colourful town of Hamburg, Germany, in 1924, amidst the bustling power of business development, a legacy started. The port town, nonetheless some of the busiest harbors for inexperienced espresso on the planet—you’ll inform from the intoxicating smell of freshly brewed espresso within the air—used to be the birthplace of Stawert Mühlenbau GmbH & Co. KG, the root of what would grow to be some of the international’s main producers of espresso grinders: Mahlkönig.

From its inception, Mahlkönig used to be pushed by way of a unique venture to carry the espresso revel in via unwavering high quality and innovation. This dedication to excellence used to be obvious from the outset, and Mahlkönig used to be formally registered as an indicator in Hamburg on December 13, 1924.

Hamburg’s Full of life Espresso Industry

Rows of grinders on the Mahlkönig assembly line.
The meeting line, circa 1970.

The full of life town of Hamburg, nestled alongside the Elbe River in Northern Germany, held a pivotal function in international business and trade. Humming with job, its port used to be integral to Hamburg’s financial prosperity, shaping its historical past, tradition, and id, and it remains to be considered one of Europe’s biggest and busiest harbors.

Leader some of the commodities dropped at Hamburg used to be—and nonetheless is—espresso, and as such it performed a central function within the town’s dynamic business scene. Hamburg’s long-standing custom as a big Eu hub for the espresso business noticed beans from all over the world arriving at its port, the place they had been processed, roasted, and disbursed to markets around the continent, solidifying Hamburg’s recognition as a espresso capital.

Mahlkönig’s Dedication to Excellence

The Mahlkönig stand at a coffee show in the 1960s.
Mahlkönig at an early Expo, circa the Sixties.

With a steadfast determination to precision engineering and an unwavering focal point on high quality, Mahlkönig abruptly earned a name as a relied on identify within the trade. Each and every Mahlkönig grinder underwent meticulous checking out, making sure simplest the best merchandise left the manufacturing facility, thus reinforcing the logo’s dedication to excellence.

All over the a long time, Mahlkönig remained at the leading edge of coffee-grinding era, ceaselessly pushing the bounds of innovation. From its earliest days, Mahlkönig’s adventure used to be marked by way of iconic milestones, such because the advent of the EK43 in 1990, which is now essentially the most extensively bought skilled espresso grinder on the planet.

Whilst Mahlkönig to start with explored a various vary of goods, it shifted its focal point solely to perfecting espresso grinders in 1960. Since then, the corporate has offered groundbreaking inventions, together with the aforementioned game-changing EK43.

Designer Ingo Fabian sketches designs for a new grinder.
Mr. Ingo Fabian sketches initial designs for the Guatemala grinder, March 1991.

Along with its innovative merchandise, Mahlkönig’s have an effect on transcends the area of espresso grinding. The corporate has performed a pivotal function in fostering a way of group inside the espresso trade, sponsoring occasions just like the Global Barista Championship and taking part with famend baristas.

It used to be a barista, finally—Australia’s Matt Perger—who championed the EK43 by way of the usage of it on degree within the 2013 Global Barista Championship. Since then, baristas all over the world were clamoring for their very own EK43, and the ambitious, subtle grinder now sits at the counters of maximum each and every high quality espresso store on the planet.

A Time, and a Legacy, to Have fun

An original Type EK23 grinder in black and white.
The Sort EK23 dates again to round 1960-1970.

As Mahlkönig celebrates its one hundredth anniversary, it can pay tribute to all who’ve contributed to its good fortune—from devoted staff to unswerving consumers and companions. Having a look forward, Mahlkönig stays dedicated to pushing the bounds of innovation and excellence for the following century.

With fresh releases just like the E80W Grind-by-Sync and the EK Omnia, Mahlkönig’s legacy continues to conform, inspiring espresso enthusiasts international to pursue perfection in each and every cup.

In reflecting on a century of workmanship, Mahlkönig seems ahead to the following 100 years, which can be positive to be stuffed with a continuation of the innovation, hobby, and incessant pursuit of perfection for which this international grinding pioneer is understood.

To be persisted for any other marvelous 100 years …

Cover image of the April + May 2024 19th Anniversary Issue

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