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History of MPDV Mikrolab GmbH
What began in 1977 as a two-man engineering office, has evolved over the years into a successful medium-sized company. Today, the MPDV group operates with fully-owned subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and North America and belongs with 530 employees worldwide to the leading providers of manufacturing IT. Discover our company history and learn more about the success story of the MES experts!
1977-1987
1988-1997
1998-2003
2004-2005
2006-2009
2010-2012
2013-2015
2016-2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
- The company is founded as an engineering office offering customized hard and software development
- First projects to collect machine data (MDE)
- Step-by-step development of systems for shop floor data collection (BDE), Time & Attendance (PZE) and shop floor scheduling (HLS)
- Market introduction of HYDRA: the first standard software for production and personnel management
- First implementation of an interface to SAP systems including certification by SAP, Inc.
- First DIN EN ISO 9001 certification
- Acquisition of INCA Industrial Computer Applications GmbH, Aschheim, Germany
- Development of CAQ competence through acquisition of CSI GmbH, Sindelfingen, Germany
- Expansion of competence in the plastics sector through the integration of IBN-SYSTEME GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany
- Foundation of the SAP Competence Center at MPDV
- Foundation of the VDI working group MES (Chair: MPDV)
- The first company-owned building in Mosbach, Germany
- Rollout of the first modular MES system (HYDRA 7) based on the MES Weaver
- Foundation of the user association "HYDRA Users Group"
- Foundation of the MPDV Development Fund (MDF)
- First validation of HYDRA based on FDA requirements
- MPDV as a board member of the worldwide MES organization MESA International
- Development of a ROI analyzer for MES solutions in cooperation with the University of Potsdam, Germany
- Foundation of the European MESA subsidiary MESA Europe (Chair: MPDV)
- Publication of the new VDI Guideline 5600 (Chair of the Technical Committee MES: MPDV)
- Foundation of MPDV Asia Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) and MPDV USA, Inc. (Chicago)
- Market launch "MES Cockpit"
- Introduction of the new MES generation HYDRA 8
- MPDV as founding member of the MES D.A.CH Association (Chair until 2016: MPDV)
- Foundation of an MPDV subsidiary in Shanghai, China
- Presentation of the MES 4.0 concept for the future as the key to Industry 4.0
- Market launch of the MES industry solution HYDRA for Metals
- Spin-off of the MPDV Campus into Perfect Production GmbH
- 40th anniversary & expansion of the company headquarters in Mosbach, Germany
- New office building for the MPDV subsidiary in the Hamm, Germany
- Announcement of the Manufacturing Integration Platform (MIP)
- Market introduction of Manufacturing Integration Platform (MIP)
- Expansion of the MPDV management board (German Press release)
- Foundation of an MPDV subsidiary in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication of the Smart Factory Elements model
- Introduction of the new claim "We Create Smart Factories"
- Foundation of the subsidiary AIMES, which develops and provides software components for artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector
- MPDV takes over the Felten Group and gains access to process production companies
- MPDV becomes a member of the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance
- Market launch of the Advanced Planning and Scheduling System (APS) FEDRA
- Nathalie Kletti, Jürgen Petzel and Thorsten Strebel become Executive Directors at MPDV
- MPDV launches HYDRA X, the new generation of MES, and revolutionizes the Smart Factory. The solution is platform-based and consists of an array of manufacturing apps (mApps). APS FEDRA and the MIP integration platform benefit from new features and technical improvements. From simple operations to complex applications — everything is possible with the new solutions!
- The textbook for digital manufacturing management hits bookstores. This book provides a hands-on explanation of the functions and the use of Manufacturing Execution Systems in production.
- MPDV's new Smart Factory Cloud Services make all products available as Software as a Service (SaaS).
- MPDV hosts the first Smart Factory Week under the motto "Let's get smart".
- MPDV Mikrolab GmbH celebrates its 45th anniversary: On October 3, 1977, the green light is given for a success story that continues to this day.
- The Smart Factory Society is founded. It brings together the HYDRA Users Group and further user associations under one roof. MPDV hosts the Smart Factory Society Conference for the first time.
- The MPDV Group proclaims the first World Smart Factory Day. With the Action Day on September 15, MPDV continues to pave the way to the Smart Factory and digital transformation as a pioneer.
- Another highlight is the launch of the interactive gaming app myFactoryMania, which is designed to bring not just young people and students closer to the Smart Factory in a playful way.
- 1st Place at the First LEGO League: Thanks to their team spirit, creativity, and enthusiasm for technology, the MPDV team, consisting of children of seven employees, took first place in the FIRST LEGO League research project – a strong sign for the next generation of innovators!
- MPDV awarded Top 100 Innovator: Second place in the Germany-wide Top 100 competition! MPDV is now officially one of the most innovative medium-sized companies in the country. An award that highlights commitment to future-oriented topics
- New version of the Smart Factory board game released: MPDV's new version of the Smart Factory board game raises awareness of modern production in a fun way – practical, interactive, and highly entertaining.
- MPDV expands its location in Hamm: The addition of another floor to the office building, constructed in 2017, will create space for around 30 new colleagues – a strong signal for sustainable growth.
- Groundbreaking ceremony for new office building: In April 2024, MPDV celebrates the groundbreaking ceremony for its new office building, marking an important milestone for the future and growth of the company.
- MPDV wins award for medium-sized companies: MPDV wins the "Großer Preis des Mittelstandes 2024" (Prize for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses 2024) – selected from over 1,200 companies in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
- Smart Factory Hive: As a pioneer and trendsetter, MPDV is developing a new way of looking at the production environment with the Smart Factory Hive.
- Award for skilled labor: In February 2025, MPDV receives the "Deutscher Fachkräftepreis" (German award for skilled labor) in the Training category. The award ceremony took place in Berlin with around 180 guests from politics, business, and society attending.
- SZ Seal – Strongest family business: The Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), a German, national newspaper, awards MPDV the seal of approval "Stärkstes Familienunternehmen 2025" (strongest family business 2025) for its economic strength, innovative power, and value-oriented business practices.
- Integration of FELTEN: By fully integrating the FELTEN company, MPDV is consolidating its expertise in the process industry with its own brand and thus further expanding its position as a comprehensive MES provider.
- Founding of EMC: With the founding of the Executive Manufacturing Center (EMC), MPDV is strengthening its consulting services and providing companies with comprehensive support on their way to manufacturing excellence – as a central point of contact for strategy, implementation, and optimization.