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Fritz Müller – entrepreneur, visionary, human being.
With pioneering spirit and drive, Fritz Müller laid the foundation for what GEMÜ is today worldwide. Together with his wife Ingrid Müller, who was responsible for accounting in the early stages of the company and actively supported her husband, Fritz Müller built a globally successful business. Even after retiring from operational business in 2013, he remained closely connected to the company until his death in December 2021.
An idea is only good if you do something with it.
From the first patent to a technology company
Born in Stuttgart-Hedelfingen in 1939, he was fascinated by technology in all its facets, even as a child. After training as a precision mechanic and studying in Schwenningen, he gained professional experience in industry. In 1964, Fritz Müller heralded a paradigm shift in the world of valves. He realized his own vision: founding GEMÜ and developing the world's first plastic valve.
Courage and vision lead to global success
Fritz Müller's courage was quickly rewarded with numerous orders, and the young company grew rapidly. In 1968, the company moved from the family garage, which had been converted into a workshop, and the family living room, which had served as an office, into its own company building in Ingelfingen-Criesbach.
In the years that followed, Fritz Müller kept GEMÜ on a steady growth course – initially nationally and, from 1981, also internationally – with companies being founded in Brazil, Switzerland, Great Britain, France, and Sweden.
Fritz Müller's innovative spirit shaped GEMÜ for decades. The construction of the GEMÜ Dome to mark the company's 45th anniversary is an expression of his forward-looking approach – to this day, it remains the heart of development and progress within the company.
Courage, solidarity and reconstruction
Flooding and fire
Fritz Müller was bursting with inventiveness. The visionary tirelessly developed new ideas and new products. The first PVC valve was quickly followed by other groundbreaking innovations, with which Fritz Müller continuously opened new business areas. However, he also had to deal with challenges.
Fire in the company building
In 1981, arson in Ingelfingen-Criesbach had serious consequences. The fire destroyed the building that housed the GEMÜ production facility and the Müller family's home. The production hall burned down completely, machines and workplaces were lost, and the private home was also affected. Together with his employees, Fritz Müller rebuilt the business and overcame this severe setback.
Flood
Twelve years later, flooding of the Kocher river completely submerged the ground floor and basement rooms of GEMÜ. But Fritz Müller was firmly convinced that even this would not stop GEMÜ. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the volunteer fire department and the GEMÜ team, worse damage was prevented. The reconstruction was also carried out as a team. This meant that business operations could be resumed soon.
Committed to the region
Rooted in the region
Despite his global commitments, Fritz Müller remained deeply attached to his homeland. Whether through the preservation of historic buildings, the promotion of regional culture, or the creation of new landmarks such as the Ingelfingen barrel, he shaped his surroundings with vision and responsibility.
He received numerous awards for his life's work, including the Federal Cross of Merit and the Economic Medal of the State of Baden-Württemberg. As an honorary citizen of Ingelfingen, his work remains unforgotten.
On December 1, 2021, Fritz Müller's life came to an end. We will always honor his memory.
