Otto Martin founded his company on February 4, 1922 at the age of 20 in Benningen near Ottobeuren, Southern Germany. The first woodworking machine was a combined circular saw, milling machine and
long-hole drilling machine in wood construction. On November 2nd, 1930 the company moved to Ottobeuren.
The production range consisted of combined milling machines, jointers, band saws and combined planing machines and also small tractors for agriculture. Martin invented the steel-concrete machine stand and introduced cast iron table tops. In 1942, the company set up a foundry on its own premises.
In 1950, the tractor production was discontinued after 507 deliveries. The first combined dressing machine / surface planer was developed and produced. The first export contacts were made and in 1952, the company participated in the “Hanover Fair” for the first time. In 1959, exports to the USA started with the delivery of a T17 circular table saw. The production of the T75, the world’s first sliding table saw, with a saw blade that can be tilted at up to 45°, started. Invention of the still popular mitre cross-cut table for sliding table saws and introduction of the steel forced guide of the sliding table, according to a principle still in use today.
Otto Martin senior dies on 14th April 1964. The company is converted to a Ltd company, Otto Martin Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG, with the sons of the company’s founder, Otto Martin junior and Max Martin, joining the company.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the company introduces innovations like the world’s first spindle moulder with alternating spindle up/down, wear-free electrical brakes as a standard on all machines and the hydraulic height and tilt adjustment of the saw blade on sliding table saws.
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