The proprietor of Maschinenfabrik Möllers GmbH, Beckum, Richard Birkenfeld, died on the night of 28 February after a serious illness, a few months before reaching the age of 85. He was born in 1924 in Dortmund.
During the war he saw service as a fighter test pilot. When returned from war Richard Birkenfeld embarked on his career as entrepreneur with a leased timber business, before taking over E. Möllers KG, Beckum, founded in 1952. He developed the company now known as Maschinenfabrik Möllers GmbH into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of packaging plant. Bag loading machines and automatic palletizers were early features of the product range, joined by the important addition of the film packaging plant business from the 1960s, using plastic shrink and stretch film to ruggedize and waterproof pallet loads. There are now three subsidiary and associated production companies in Germany, manufacturing filling plant. Birkenfeld also pursued the expansion of his business activities into foreign markets – with great success, as exports soon overtook domestic sales. Works were established abroad in Brazil and the USA, and distribution companies were established in several countries in Europe and overseas for sales and customer service. The company’s expansion was evident also from the key role of the Möllers Group as employer, with a workforce of now 500, 250 company staff are currently employed at the main Beckum works.
The continued operation of Maschinenfabrik Möllers GmbH as a family business is assured.
Obituary: Richard Birkenfeld
Death of Entrepreneur Richard Birkenfeld
The proprietor of Maschinenfabrik Möllers GmbH, Beckum, Richard Birkenfeld, died on the night of 28 February after a serious illness, a few months before reaching the age of 85. He was born in 1924 in Dortmund.
During the war he saw service as a fighter test pilot. When returned from war Richard Birkenfeld embarked on his career as entrepreneur with a leased timber business, before taking over E. Möllers KG, Beckum, founded in 1952. He developed the company now known as Maschinenfabrik Möllers GmbH into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of packaging plant. Bag loading machines and automatic palletizers were early features of the product range, joined by the important addition of the film packaging plant business from the 1960s, using plastic shrink and stretch film to ruggedize and waterproof pallet loads. There are now three subsidiary and associated production companies in Germany, manufacturing filling plant. Birkenfeld also pursued the expansion of his business activities into foreign markets – with great success, as exports soon overtook domestic sales. Works were established abroad in Brazil and the USA, and distribution companies were established in several countries in Europe and overseas for sales and customer service. The company’s expansion was evident also from the key role of the Möllers Group as employer, with a workforce of now 500, 250 company staff are currently employed at the main Beckum works.
The continued operation of Maschinenfabrik Möllers GmbH as a family business is assured.
Attachments
r.-birkenfeld (JPG)
■