Having just returned from the war, Otto Johannes Müller founds a small business with a great deal of optimism. Working out of a laundry room, he produces the first brushes and comes up with the MÜHLE logo.
1949
Setback
The company founder specialises in MÜHLE shaving brushes and acquires its first export customers abroad. A fire destroys the company headquarters, but Otto Johannes Müller soldiers on bravely.
1965
New generation
After the untimely death of his father, Hans-Jürgen Müller takes over the company with 40 employees. MÜHLE now exports its products to 36 countries.
1972
Expropriation
The great wave of expropriation by the GDR leadership also affects MÜHLE. Under pressure from the state, Hans-Jürgen Müller sells his company, which becomes a “state-owned enterprise”.
1987
Farewell
As part of VEB Flamingo-Bürsten Schönheide, MÜHLE now produces brushes for the GDR. Hans-Jürgen Müller leaves the company and sets up shop as a freelance brush maker.
1990
New beginning
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, Hans-Jürgen Müller takes back ownership of the expropriated family business. From now on, it operates under the name Hans-Jürgen Müller KG, which retains the MÜHLE logo.
1995
MÜHLE’s 50th anniversary
In the early years after reunification, MÜHLE struggles to survive from day to day. Bit by bit, the company acquires new customers and re-hires former employees.
2006
Upswing
In the period after the turn of the millennium, the product range is expanded to comprise a high-quality full range for wet shaving. The MÜHLE brand comes to the fore.
2008
Third generation
The sons Christian and Andreas Müller take over management from their father. Despite the economic crisis, the company turnover grows and the vertical range of manufacture is further increased.
2012
New approaches
MÜHLE consistently breaks new ground and develops the vegan fibres Black Fibre and Silvertip Fibre®, which set new standards for synthetic fibres, as well as the vegan natural cosmetics series ORGANIC.
2014
Berlin
The company is now celebrating shaving culture from the Ore Mountains in the metropolis of Berlin – with the first MÜHLE store complete with barber shop in the Hackesche Höfe.
2017
Design Award
In cooperation with the Berlin designer Mark Braun, the product series HEXAGON is created and receives two awards – the Red Dot Award and the German Design Award.
2018
London
MÜHLE opens its second store in the heart of London’s West End on Newburgh Street, not far from Piccadilly Circus.
2019
Sustainability
MÜHLE continues to focus on sustainability in all areas. Almost all product packaging is now free of plastic. In addition, shipping is climate-neutral.
2020
MÜHLE’s 75th anniversary
From a small brush manufacturer to a global brand with classic status, MÜHLE celebrates its 75th anniversary and continues to focus on shaving culture made in the Ore Mountains. Fittingly, a treatment space is now also being opened at the MÜHLE Store London.
