100 years maierGROUP
A success story that moves
In 2025, we will be celebrating 100 years of Christian Maier GmbH & Co. KG – a proud anniversary that recognises our development from a small foundry in Schnaitheim to a world-leading company for rotary unions and innovative technologies.
Today, we stand for quality, reliability and technical excellence. We are represented in over 160 countries with our products and solutions – as a reliable partner to industry.
Celebrate this special milestone with us!
Immerse yourself in our eventful history, experience our impressive successes and discover the vision with which we are shaping the future.
Our history
We have stood for innovation and precision for 100 years. From our beginnings to the present day – our development has been characterised by passion and progress.
Our products
Highest quality for a century: Our rotary joints set standards worldwide, impress with their precision and are constantly evolving.
Contemporary witnesses
Memories, milestones, voices from the past – people who have shaped our history share their experiences.
Dear readers,
2025 is a particularly significant year for us – 100 years of Christian Maier GmbH & Co. KG! This anniversary is a proud milestone that symbolises innovation, consistency and great success.
A century full of challenges, courageous decisions and impressive successes lies behind us. We have always focussed on what makes us special: quality, reliability and team spirit. Together with our dedicated employees, our loyal customers and our reliable partners, we have continuously developed and set standards in the industry.
This anniversary is not just a look back – it is a departure. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe aptly said: “Success requires two things: clear goals and a burning desire to achieve them.”
With this ambition and the passion of our entire team, we want to continue to move markets, drive technologies forward and develop sustainable solutions.
Our thanks go to all of you – your trust, your support and your loyalty. Celebrate this special anniversary with us and look forward to all that the future holds.
Here’s to the next 100 years!
For a lifelong connection – a Union for Life!
Yours sincerely, The management
100 years maierGROUP
100 years of innovation, courage and success
Immerse yourself in the history of the maierGROUP and experience how a small foundry in Schnaitheim became a leading global company. Discover what makes us special and be inspired by a success story that is far from over. We hope you enjoy exploring our history.
The founding years
In 1925, Christian Maier laid the foundations for the company with a small foundry in Schnaitheim. Despite the difficult times during the Second World War, a growing production developed from the modest beginnings. In 1948, his eldest son Erich Maier Senior began the reorientation and diversification into cookware, dental technology and mechanical engineering for the textile industry – an important step for later success.
Start in a small foundry behind the lamb brewery in Schnaitheim.
The painter Erich Herter designs the iconic SMS company logo. Under the name Schwäbische Metallgießerei Schnaitheim (SMS), we specialise in the processing of metal and mechanical engineering.
New location, where the company is still based today.
Difficult time of adaptation and perseverance.
Start of work for the company as operations manager.
Erich Maier Senior *1924 †1963
Reorganisation and start of production of cookware (1945), dental technology (1947) and textile machines (1948).
Growth, innovation
and the way into the world
When the sons of the company founder, Erich Maier Senior and Friedrich Maier, joined the management, a new era began – characterised by technical progress, vision and the move into international markets. The development of the first rotary joint (stuffing box) in 1952 laid the foundation for our core business. In the following decades, significant innovations were developed in the agricultural and textile industries. The international breakthrough came in 1971 with our participation in ITMA Paris, the world’s leading trade fair for textile machinery.
Milestone for the company – start of specialisation in rotary joints
Dipl. Kaufmann Friedrich Maier *1924 †2017
Founder Christian Maier, sons Erich Maier and Friedrich Maier
The years of joint development work were interrupted in November 1963 by a tragic road accident involving 39-year-old Erich Maier Senior.
Revolutionary solution for drying technology in agriculture in collaboration with Voith
Expansion of the company into new business areas
1967 was a year of change: company founder Christian Maier passed away, but his visionary spirit lived on. Friedrich Maier continued his work with determination and led our company into a new era of innovation.
Innovation in the textile industry – setting new standards for efficient production
Strengthening the position in the machine industry
Growth requires better infrastructure for logistics and administration.
International breakthrough – Christian Maier GmbH & Co. KG presents itself for the first time at a world trade fair. ITMA Paris The world’s leading trade fair for textile machinery. This was a decisive step in raising the brand’s profile beyond Germany’s borders.
Expansion of production and strategic reorientation
Global expansion &
technological progress
With Erich Maier Junior at the helm, a phase of internationalisation and technological development began. The global presence was expanded with the founding of maierITALIA (1997), maierAMERICA (2000) and maierKUNSHAN (2012). At the same time, the company invested in innovative manufacturing technologies such as CAD-supported design (1991) and developed the DN 400 rotating joint for steam (1988), a product that set standards in the industry.
Strategic realignment with a focus on technological development
Initial structural measures to secure the company’s future
New standards for industrial applications with high-temperature vapour
Digitalisation of design processes for greater efficiency and precision
Entry into the Southern European market for a stronger European presence
Important step towards internationalisation outside Europe
Definition of corporate values and long-term strategy
During this time, Christian Maier GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik became today’s maierGROUP – a globally networked company that is now active in over 160 countries worldwide.
Expansion into one of the world’s most important industrial markets
Innovation, sustainability &
digitalisation
Florian Maier and Andreas Greiner have been managing the maierGROUP in the fourth generation since 2016. Their focus is on digitalisation, sustainability and the introduction of new technologies. Laser coating was introduced in 2018, followed by intelligent sensors for rotating unions in 2020, which enable predictive maintenance. This innovative strength was recognised in 2021 with the East Wuerttemberg Innovation Award and in 2024 with inclusion in the TOP 100 most innovative companies in Germany. International expansion continued with the founding of maierSINGAPORE in 2019 and maierMEXICO in 2024. At the same time, the maierGROUP promotes the next generation of skilled workers through modern training programmes and cooperation with educational institutions. Sustainable repair models and the recycling of components emphasise the company’s commitment to conserving resources and being environmentally friendly. With these developments, the maierGROUP remains true to its claim: innovation, quality and sustainability for a strong future.
Transition to the new generation with strategic future planning.
Start of an era with a focus on digitalisation and sustainability.
Technological progress for a longer service life and greater efficiency.
Opening up new markets and strengthening our international presence.
Digitalisation of products with predictive maintenance.
Recognition for continuous innovation and development.
Modular design for high speeds and low frictional torques, suitable for various media.
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Milestone for the corporate strategy and future vision.
Another step in the global growth strategy.
Expansion of production capacities and modernisation of manufacturing processes.
Ceremony to honour a century of innovation and success.
Impressions
In the course of time
Our products
100 years of innovation and progress
For 100 years, our products have stood for quality, precision and continuous development. Our production began with a wide range of mechanical solutions, including mechanical engineering and dental technology. In the 1950s, we increasingly specialised in rotary unions – a decision that laid the foundation for our success today.
With each new generation, we optimised materials, designs and manufacturing processes to offer our customers ever more efficient and durable solutions. Whether water, steam, oil, air or special media – our rotating unions are in use worldwide today and fulfil the highest industrial requirements.
Innovations such as sensor technology for predictive maintenance or high-performance coatings for extreme conditions emphasise our pursuit of technological excellence. Our aim was and remains to develop products that not only fulfil the current requirements of industry, but also those of the future.
Contemporary witnesses
Memories from 100 years
Our history is not only characterised by innovation, but above all by the people who shape it. Former and current employees, companions and partners share their memories, experiences and personal milestones from a century of company history here.
Klaus-Peter Hoffmann
Klaus-Peter Hoffmann looks back proudly on his time at C.F. Maier – from the beginnings in a small foundry to the successful plastics company. Great things were created here with passion, a spirit of innovation and a strong team.
Magdalena Milanes
Magdalena Milanes talks about her career as the first foreign language secretary at C.F. Maier. She accompanied the rise of the Maier company and contributed significantly to its international growth and success.
Karl Binder
Karl Binder looks back on his 49 years at Christian Maier – from his training as a machine fitter to managing the assembly departments. With passion, hard work and a strong team spirit, he shaped the development of the company and experienced the company’s changes and successes at first hand.
Rainer Junginger
Rainer Junginger talks about his long and formative time at Christian Maier – from his beginnings as an apprentice in metalworking to his development into a master craftsman and the role of Christian Maier in his professional and personal career.
Rolf Kraft
Rolf Kraft was a valuable employee of C.F. Maier for many years, where he worked in the work preparation department and made a significant contribution to the company’s success with his dedicated and reliable approach.
Rudolf Tagscherer
Rudolf Tagscherer was a valuable employee of C.F. Maier for many years, contributing significantly to the company’s global expansion with his expertise in CNC technology.
Rolf Loschonsky
Rolf Loschonsky talks about his long time at Christian Maier, from the beginnings in a small business to a growing company that has continued to develop.
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The maierGROUP
Learn more about the certified
specialists in rotary joints.