MBW of Slinger, WI, began operations 41 years ago with its introduction of a lower maintenance vibratory plate compactor. Today the Company’s product line encompasses a full line of soil compaction products, equipment for mixing, vibrating, screeding, finishing and slip forming of concrete, as well as a number of specialty products for construction applications. All MBW products have been designed and manufactured with one mission in mind: To advance the state of the art in product design while providing reliable and reasonable relationships with its customers.

Founded on Expertise and Innovation

That mission began in February of 1967 when two men with extensive backgrounds in mechanical vibration and soil compaction began a business in an unheated contractors shed. Helmut Maass and Frank Multerer Sr. built four vibratory plates at a time. They loaded them into the Multerer family station wagon and Frank would travel to Chicago or other Midwestern cities peddling the machines on a cash-only- sales basis. When those machines were sold, the proceeds were immediately used to build four more plates and Frank would be off on yet another venture.

From those humble beginnings MBW emerged in 1970 as a market leader in vibratory plates throughout several Midwestern states. The plates were revolutionary in that they dramatically reduced maintenance associated with plates of that time and applied a different approach in the vibration system allowing them to travel faster and deliver greater compaction energy than competitive models.

Committed to High Productivity, Low Maintenance

As the Company expanded into new areas of product development, it remained true to the approach that made its first product such a success. Eventually, the following criterion was formalized and applied to all R&D efforts:

• new products should increase productivity relative to existing products;
• new products should decrease maintenance relative to existing products;
• new products should embody design considerations and/or advances in manufacturing methodology directed at reducing the cost of the product; and,
• new R&D projects must show potential for securing intellectual protection.

By applying these principles, MBW has ensured that its products provide tangible benefits in terms of productivity, reduced maintenance and overall cost compared to less innovative suppliers. Today, this approach remains integral to MBW’s R&D effort and is readily seen in the majority of the company’s products.

From vibratory plates, MBW went on to design percussion rammers. The 1970s also witnessed MBW’s entry into vibratory concrete screeds, powered concrete finishing equipment (trowels) and mortar-plaster mixers.

R&D and production dramatically increased after MBW moved into its new facility in 1971. After several expansions, MBW’s Slinger, WI plant now measures 95,000 square feet. Additionally, MBW operates subsidiary companies, MBW (UK) LTD. in Bolton, England and MBW France SARL in Bornel, France.

Today, MBW is known for products that provide comparative advantages in terms of maintenance and production. The key to it all has been MBW’s aversion to “me-too” engineering. MBW’s commitment to advancing the state-of-the-art through innovation is the foundation of its success and will continue to be so in the new millennium.