Our story begins in 1936, in our grandmother's garage in Basel. Max Müller, our grandfather, founded the company “Max Müller, Ing. Technisches Bureau” (hereinafter referred to as “MAX MÜLLER”). We become the general agent of a German electrical engineering manufacturer and import electric motors. Initially, the chemical industry in Basel is supplied, later customers throughout Switzerland. Goods are primarily handled in the courtyard between the garage and our grandparents' home.

From 1939 onwards, domestic orders from the German war economy took priority and deliveries to MAX MÜLLER dwindled until they dried up completely after the Allied invasion in September 1944. The young company had to focus on repair jobs, which often required a great deal of improvisation due to war rationing.

At the suggestion of a client, MAX MÜLLER developed the first light fitting in 1958, consisting of a converted “General Electric” hand lamp. It contains a filament bulb, an on-off-switch and a fxiation system that enables various mounting positions. Initially, the light fitting was only sold to the chemical industry in Basel, but the client base gradually expanded.

The next important innovations were the first light fitting with an integrated transformer (CHEMLUX® product series) in 1969 and the world's first [Ex] halogen light fitting in 1977. In the following years, the light fittings were continuously developed, adapted to new standards, and optimized, often in cooperation with clients. Since 1973, our [Ex] light fittings have been certified by the PTB in Braunschweig, for the use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The agency business is continued in parallel to this day, now under the name “MAX MÜLLER – Precision drive systems and industrial equipment” (www.maxmuellerag.ch).

MAX MÜLLER establishes a subsidiary in England in 1990, to ensure optimum customer service and short delivery times. Today, it is run by the second generation and is a reliable partner for our customers in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The subsidiary in Germany was founded in 1995 with the same aim. It not only serves the existing client base, but becomes a pioneer in the biogas industry. Today, it is our Centre of Excellence for biogas solutions, which are used worldwide. With the opening of the new building in Kamen in 2014, the office, production, and storage capacities are greatly expanded and the foundation for a successful future is laid.

In 2003, MAX MÜLLER moves into its new headquarters in Allschwil. The space at the original location, around our grandparents' home, had become far too scarce. The new location combines modern offices with an efficient production facility and a large warehouse.

Shortly before, in 2001, we launched the first ATEX-certified fiber optic light fitting (fibroLUX© product series). This was followed in 2009 by the world's smallest [Ex] zoom camera in a stainless steel housing (VideoLUX© product series).

In 2016, Dipl. Ing. Roger Blenny retires after 35 years at MAX MÜLLER. As Technical Director and Deputy Managing Director, he played a key role in shaping the development of the company and its products. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. Ten years earlier, he had introduced his son, M.Eng. Stéphane Blenny, to the company. At MAX MÜLLER, the generations follow one another, not only at the head of the company but also within the workforce – we are a family business in the truest sense of the word.