MWM History

The rich history and origins of MWM go back more than 150 years. In 1871, prominent German engineer and automobile pioneer Carl Benz founded the “Mechanische Werkstätte”, from which Benz & Cie. and later MWM emerged.

Carl Benz revolutionized motorized transportation with the invention of his motor car, which was patented in 1886. Initially, Benz & Cie. developed stationary two-stroke gas engines. From these, four-stroke gas engines later emerged.

From 1910, the company produced diesel engines, which were also used for the motorized propulsion of ships and submarines.

Birth of Motoren-Werke Mannheim A.-G.

In 1922, Benz & Cie. sold the “Stationary Engine Building” department, which continued to operate independently under the new name Motoren-Werke Mannheim A.-G. (called “MWM”). On January 22, 1923, MWM applied to the Imperial Patent Office for registration of the trademark.

MWM Motorhorses Revolutionize the Transport Industry

In 1926, MWM became a subsidiary of Süddeutsche Bremse AG (SB). In addition to diesel engines for ships, commercial vehicles, and agricultural machinery, the 1920s were marked by the production of the so-called MWM “motorhorses”, which had a significant impact on transportation in Germany. The motorhorse produced from 1924 to 1931 was the world’s first tractor with a two-cylinder, four-stroke prechamber diesel engine. Starting from the 1930s, MWM offered an extensive range of diesel engines. Moreover, to address the increasing demand for powerful gas engines, MWM offered gas engines of the RH type (crude oil gas type).

First Comprehensive MWM Engine Building Program Conquers the Market

From 1946, the factory was rebuilt and the production of small diesel engines was resumed. In 1950, the first comprehensive MWM engine building program was launched, with an output range from 5 to 920 hp. From 1953, the first air-cooled small diesel engines with the patented MWM constant-pressure prechamber method were produced.

Development of the Predecessor of the MWM TCG 2032 Series

In the 1970s, MWM celebrated two major anniversaries. In 1972, it celebrated the 50^th brand anniversary, and 1979 marked the celebration of “100 years of engine building in Mannheim”. In 1985, Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG (KHD) in Cologne acquired the majority of shares in MWM in Mannheim and Südbremse in Munich. From 1989 to 1992, MWM took over the large engine manufacturing operations of Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG. In 1992, MWM developed the predecessor gas engine of the current TCG 2032 series.

In 1999, MWM was sold to Deutz AG, and the small diesel engine manufacturing operations were discontinued. From 2007 to 2008, the company was sold to the financial investor 3i and rebranded to MWM GmbH.

Celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of the MWM Brand

From 2011 to 2013, MWM GmbH became part of Caterpillar Inc., and MWM GmbH became Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH. Over the next few years, the history of the MWM brand saw the launch of further innovative products, such as the MWM TCG 3016 and 3020 V20 gas engines, which were designed from scratch, and the TCG 3020 V12 and V16 gas engines, which were added to the TCG 3020 lineup.

In 2021, MWM celebrated its 150^th anniversary under the motto “150 years of continuous innovation”. In 2023, the milestone “100 years MWM brand” was reached.