Mühle 80 Years Anniversary
Mühle celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2025. Founded in 1945 by Otto Johannes Müller in Stützengrün in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), Mühle has a remarkable story to tell. Read more about the celebration and the history here!
Author: Gustav Burman
2025 is the year, and Mühle turns 80. It is a flourishing 80-year-old celebrating its anniversary, and the outlook for Mühle and its future looks bright. Behind it all lies a story — and a significant piece of family history woven in.
I’d like to briefly share parts of their journey, also from my own perspective. SLIQHAQ has had a long relationship with Mühle, and for the past nine years we have, through our sister company UnderCclub, acted as distributor and agent for Mühle’s products on the Swedish market.
This summer it was time to celebrate — properly. Certainly a celebration Hans-Jürgen Müller, son of Otto Johannes Müller, had long been looking forward to. He was only three years old when his father returned home after the war and started the company. Like many businesses, it began modestly, but by the late 1940s they already employed more than ten people.
Germany at this time was deeply marked by the war in many ways, and after its end the family found themselves in the Eastern Bloc, in what was then East Germany. Among the employees were also those who had lost their parents during the war. Even here, you can already sense the family spirit that still defines Mühle today.
Despite setbacks, the business continued to grow, and by the early 1960s Mühle was exporting shaving brushes to more than 30 countries across Europe and the Middle East.
Otto Johannes’ death came as a shock to both family and staff. Suddenly, 23-year-old Hans-Jürgen stood alone with full responsibility for the company. He was still a university student when his father passed away — a heavy burden for a young man, unprepared for such responsibility, while the family was still grieving. The strong workforce undoubtedly helped through the transition, and Mühle continued to grow.
Seeing the family business — built through hard work and personal investment — taken over by the state was a heavy blow. Yet they joked that the company was now VEB (state-owned): “Walters ehemaliger Betrieb” — Dad’s former business.
During this time, brothers Christian and Andreas grew up. They did not feel the company was theirs — their father simply worked there, as did many people they knew.
Christian, the elder brother, started as an apprentice and learned everything from the ground up. Andreas initially pursued theology, but after his studies felt strongly drawn back to Mühle. He joined shortly thereafter and eventually shared leadership with Christian.
Today, Mühle is the world’s leading brand in traditional wet shaving. With advanced machinery, a dedicated workforce, and partners across much of the globe, business and craftsmanship go hand in hand.
Andreas Müller, Managing Director at Mühle:
"Many years ago, I took on sponsorship for a child with World Vision. This personal connection has repeatedly shown me how valuable the work of this organisation is. Beyond providing food and water, World Vision's work improves the daily lives of children and their families through education and healthcare. I am particularly impressed by the holistic approach—this truly improves development opportunities for people in the long term."
At the end of the day, what matters most is what we mean to one another and to our surroundings. That is, at its core, what the story of Mühle is really about.
And it certainly doesn’t hurt that along the way they’ve created a whole range of wonderful products — powerful razors and premium shaving sets of exceptional design and quality. What do you think of their Anniversary R89 in stainless steel? And let’s not forget how they’ve elevated wet shaving for thousands.
Should you ever forget your shaving kit while sailing on a luxury yacht, you’ll find The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection shaving set created by Mühle. I haven’t been able to locate official product images, but I’ve seen it live — and that light blue colour is simply magical.
I’d like to briefly share parts of their journey, also from my own perspective. SLIQHAQ has had a long relationship with Mühle, and for the past nine years we have, through our sister company UnderCclub, acted as distributor and agent for Mühle’s products on the Swedish market.
This summer it was time to celebrate — properly. Certainly a celebration Hans-Jürgen Müller, son of Otto Johannes Müller, had long been looking forward to. He was only three years old when his father returned home after the war and started the company. Like many businesses, it began modestly, but by the late 1940s they already employed more than ten people.
The employees have always played — and continue to play — a vital role in Mühle as both a brand and a company. On the right you can also glimpse traces of the old logo, including the well-known windmill.
Germany at this time was deeply marked by the war in many ways, and after its end the family found themselves in the Eastern Bloc, in what was then East Germany. Among the employees were also those who had lost their parents during the war. Even here, you can already sense the family spirit that still defines Mühle today.
Otto Johannes Müller was an enterprising man who founded Mühle immediately after the end of World War II, laying the foundation for their brush production.
Production has always been central, with employees forming the backbone. Early staff described the atmosphere as special and family-like. Even today, many steps are still done by hand, and quality control is rigorous.
Christian and Andreas on the left, flanking their now 83-year-old father. Today, both sons jointly lead the company.
When Hans-Jürgen looks back, it is the stories of the staff that make him most proud. That is perhaps the greatest achievement an entrepreneur can reach — knowing that employees feel they truly matter.
When Hans-Jürgen looks back, it is the stories of the staff that make him most proud. That is perhaps the greatest achievement an entrepreneur can reach — knowing that employees feel they truly matter.
In 1949 the entire factory burned down and devastation was complete — together they rebuilt the company.
Despite setbacks, the business continued to grow, and by the early 1960s Mühle was exporting shaving brushes to more than 30 countries across Europe and the Middle East.
Otto Johannes’ death came as a shock to both family and staff. Suddenly, 23-year-old Hans-Jürgen stood alone with full responsibility for the company. He was still a university student when his father passed away — a heavy burden for a young man, unprepared for such responsibility, while the family was still grieving. The strong workforce undoubtedly helped through the transition, and Mühle continued to grow.
The joy was short-lived. In April 1972, the company was nationalised in communist East Germany. Only after reunification did the family regain ownership.
Seeing the family business — built through hard work and personal investment — taken over by the state was a heavy blow. Yet they joked that the company was now VEB (state-owned): “Walters ehemaliger Betrieb” — Dad’s former business.
During this time, brothers Christian and Andreas grew up. They did not feel the company was theirs — their father simply worked there, as did many people they knew.
Christian, the elder brother, started as an apprentice and learned everything from the ground up. Andreas initially pursued theology, but after his studies felt strongly drawn back to Mühle. He joined shortly thereafter and eventually shared leadership with Christian.
Now it was time to celebrate — and it showed how many years had passed. Retired staff were present, along with family, friends, politicians, business partners, and distributors.
Today, Mühle is the world’s leading brand in traditional wet shaving. With advanced machinery, a dedicated workforce, and partners across much of the globe, business and craftsmanship go hand in hand.
Speeches were many and laughter echoed through the new award-winning building, honoured with the Monocle Design Awards (2024).
The lively 83-year-old was interviewed on stage, showing what a remarkable person he truly is. Christian and members of staff also gave heartfelt speeches.
A Spanish pianist on a Steinway grand piano proved a perfect mix of classical and modern — “River Flows in You” was performed and later reprised during the evening laser show.
The courtyard celebration lasted into the night, filled with great food, drinks, and happy faces.
The surroundings in the Ore Mountains are stunning — here a cheerful group of distributors at sunset.
Back to the story of Mühle. The warm company Otto Johannes founded, and Hans-Jürgen passed on to his sons Christian and Andreas, still lives on — as does the love for people.
This year Mühle is partnering with World Vision on a reforestation project covering over 2 million hectares in Uganda.
This year Mühle is partnering with World Vision on a reforestation project covering over 2 million hectares in Uganda.
Andreas Müller, Managing Director at Mühle:
"Many years ago, I took on sponsorship for a child with World Vision. This personal connection has repeatedly shown me how valuable the work of this organisation is. Beyond providing food and water, World Vision's work improves the daily lives of children and their families through education and healthcare. I am particularly impressed by the holistic approach—this truly improves development opportunities for people in the long term."
At the end of the day, what matters most is what we mean to one another and to our surroundings. That is, at its core, what the story of Mühle is really about.
And it certainly doesn’t hurt that along the way they’ve created a whole range of wonderful products — powerful razors and premium shaving sets of exceptional design and quality. What do you think of their Anniversary R89 in stainless steel? And let’s not forget how they’ve elevated wet shaving for thousands.
Should you ever forget your shaving kit while sailing on a luxury yacht, you’ll find The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection shaving set created by Mühle. I haven’t been able to locate official product images, but I’ve seen it live — and that light blue colour is simply magical.
