Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH

Corporate brand

German foundry and world market leader in the manufacture of large ship propellers, especially those weighing over 80 tonnes.

Last updated September 27, 2026

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Overview

Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH (MMG) is a German medium-sized foundry based in Waren (Müritz) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is a specialist in ship propellers and describes itself as the world market leader for the manufacture of ship propellers weighing more than 80 tonnes. The company traces its origins to 1875, when it was founded as a machine factory and iron foundry serving mainly mechanical and plant engineering, and it has been producing ship propellers for more than 75 years. Today MMG designs and manufactures custom propellers weighing up to 160 tonnes and with diameters of over 11 metres for all ship types and sizes, along with propeller caps, retrofit and redesign propellers, centrifugal castings, and special castings in copper and aluminium alloys. MMG's product range extends beyond propellers to include large-format components made from copper and aluminium alloys, such as impellers for pumps and spindle nuts for large presses, as well as bushes and rings produced by centrifugal casting. The company maintains departments for hydrodynamics and strength calculation, allowing it to plan propellers specifically for each vessel. Its propellers have powered well-known ships including the Queen Mary 2. MMG operates worldwide, with sales offices in the most important shipbuilding nations, and offers global service including optical measurement, installation supervision, damage assessment, and repairs — even for propellers made by other manufacturers. Historically, MMG was part of the Deutsche Gießerei- und Industrieholding AG (DIHAG) in Essen between 1999 and 2018. During the DIHAG holding crisis in 2018, the company was sold to an investor group made up of its management and one of DIHAG's shareholders. In peak times the firm produced around 180 propellers per year, reaching a market share of about 25 percent overall, 60 percent for large propellers over 80 tonnes, and 93 percent in the segment over 100 tonnes in 2008. Revenue reached a record 100 million euros in 2008. MMG has repeatedly been named Company of the Year in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and received the "Golden Q-Mark" from Samsung Heavy Industries in 2006 and again in 2008, being the only non-Korean company to do so.

History

Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH (MMG) traces its origins to 1875, when it was founded as a machine factory and iron foundry in Waren (Müritz). In its early decades it primarily supplied the mechanical and plant engineering industries, and also took on private orders through what was known as customer casting (Kundengießerei). After the Second World War, as shipbuilding was rebuilt in eastern Germany, the Waren foundry increasingly produced parts for the shipyard industry and specialized in the manufacture of ship propellers. Even during the era of the German Democratic Republic (DDR), MMG delivered to all parts of the world. Over time the company required more and more space. Because the Bundesstraße 108 ran straight through the company premises, the road had to be repeatedly closed at short notice whenever ship propellers and other equipment were transported from one part of the site to another. In 2008 construction began to relocate the federal road; two tracks of the adjacent railway station were removed and several garages and houses demolished. The project cost about six million euros, with MMG contributing about 1.1 million euros. Between 1999 and 2018 the company belonged to the Deutsche Gießerei- und Industrieholding AG (DIHAG) in Essen. In the course of the DIHAG holding crisis in 2018, the company was sold to an investor group consisting of the management and one of the DIHAG shareholders. Economically, MMG grew continuously after German reunification, both in orders and in operating area. New halls were built to allow up to 200 tonnes of metal to be melted simultaneously and propellers with diameters of more than ten metres to be cast. Before reunification, propellers could only be produced with a weight of up to 23 tonnes and diameters up to 6.3 metres. In peak times the firm produced around 180 propellers per year, reaching a market share of about 25 percent overall, 60 percent for large propellers over 80 tonnes, and 93 percent in the segment over 100 tonnes in 2008. In 2005 the Waren plant delivered about 8,000 tonnes of ship propellers, with 9,000 tonnes planned for 2007. Revenue in 2007 was about 70 million euros. A record revenue of 100 million euros was achieved in 2008; in 2010 it was around 80 million euros with 220 employees. In 2013, short-time work was ordered for parts of the plant in order to retain the workforce. On 13 February 2006, the largest ship propeller ever cast up to that time was delivered, weighing slightly more than 130 tonnes with a diameter of 9.6 metres. It consisted of 79% copper, 9% aluminium, 6% nickel, 5% iron and 1% manganese. About one and a half years of development and planning preceded the casting. After casting, the propeller cooled in its sand mould for two weeks, then was milled and hand-ground for three weeks. The price for the propeller, which was shipped to Denmark for installation in a container ship of the Emma Mærsk class, was in the high six-figure range. MMG has repeatedly been chosen as Company of the Year in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. On 17 March 2006, Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH received the "Golden Q-Mark" medal from Samsung Heavy Industries, the world's second-largest shipyard, for very good quality and outstanding service. High reliability and flexibility of MMG were also highlighted. About 350 suppliers were included in the selection process; only MMG and one Korean company met the criteria of the "Golden Q-Mark". The award was presented by the president of Samsung Heavy Industries, M. K. Kim, to Manfred Urban, one of the managing directors. On 17 October 2008, MMG again received this award as the only non-Korean company. Today MMG continues to research new technologies and methods, developing future-oriented drive solutions. It designs and manufactures custom propellers for all ship types and sizes, and offers global service including optical measurement, installation supervision, damage assessment, and repairs, even for propellers made by other manufacturers.

2018
Sold by DIHAG to an investor group consisting of management and one DIHAG shareholder.
2013
Short-time work ordered for parts of the plant to retain the workforce.
2010
Revenue of around 80 million euros with 220 employees.
2008
Record revenue of 100 million euros. Construction begins to relocate Bundesstraße 108 away from the factory premises. On 17 October, MMG again receives the "Golden Q-Mark" as the only non-Korean company.
2007
Revenue of about 70 million euros; 9,000 tonnes of propellers planned.
2006
On 13 February, the largest ship propeller ever cast up to that time (over 130 t, 9.6 m diameter) is delivered. On 17 March, MMG receives the "Golden Q-Mark" from Samsung Heavy Industries.
2005
About 8,000 tonnes of ship propellers delivered.
1999
Company becomes part of Deutsche Gießerei- und Industrieholding AG (DIHAG) in Essen.
1875
Company founded as a machine factory and iron foundry in Waren (Müritz).

Products and positioning

World market leader for ship propellers over 80 tonnes; premium quality, innovation, and global service for large custom propellers.

Ship propellers
Custom-designed propellers weighing up to 160 tonnes and with diameters over 11 metres for all ship types and sizes.
Propeller caps / escap
Propeller caps that optimize ship propulsion with little effort.
Retrofit / redesign propellers
Retrofit propellers for fleet optimization, reducing fuel costs and CO2 emissions in light of EEXI regulations.
Centrifugal castings
Bushes and rings made from copper and aluminium alloys, suitable for highly stressed construction parts.
Special castings
Large-format components such as impellers for pumps or spindle nuts for large presses, made to individual customer requirements.

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