until 1917
from the herrenmühle to a sawmill
Our roots reach back to the year 1585, when the so-called Herrenmühle—also known as Lohrmühle—was built. Over the centuries, this stately mill changed hands multiple times and served various purposes. In its final chapter before our founding, it operated as a wooden crate factory with a bandsaw powered by hydropower—an early testament to the woodworking tradition at this historic site.
1918
the birth of mehling & Wiesmann
In 1918, Richard and Anna Mehling (née Wiesmann) acquired the mill. With financial support from Anna’s parents, the sawmill Mehling & Wiesmann was established. Later, Anna’s brother Otto Wiesmann took over their family’s share. The historic mill was modernized and equipped with a horizontal frame saw, transforming it into a high-performance sawmill.
1930s
Expansion and early veneer activities
A major milestone was the acquisition of shares in the Knauf company, a veneer and sawmill operation in nearby Gemünden. Otto Wiesmann took on the role of log buyer and timber trader there. Knauf produced the first veneers for Mehling & Wiesmann under a contract manufacturing arrangement. From 1934 to 1937, Adolf Weis completed his training as a timber buyer at our company—a man who would later play a key role in our history.
Bruno Hoppe, Richard Mehling and Otto Wiesmann in Gemünden 1938
First slicing machine
AB 1939-1945
war years and reconstruction
The death of Richard Mehling in 1939 marked a turning point. Otto Wiesmann left the company and took over shares in Knauf. Anna continued to run the sawmill with her son Franz Mehling. In 1945, Adolf Weis returned from the war unexpectedly. Together with Franz, he helped rebuild Mehling & Wiesmann.
1945-1987
growth and internationalization
Adolf Weis was appointed authorized officer and began building international business relationships. Mehling & Wiesmann expanded into veneer trading, initially continuing to use Knauf for veneer production. In 1947, Adolf Weis married Emma Luise Mehling, daughter of Franz Mehling. When Franz retired in 1949, Adolf became sole managing director. Company shares were passed on to the six children of Adolf and Emma Weis and to Franz Mehling’s daughter.
The following decades were marked by innovation. Highlights included the construction of Bavaria’s first glued laminated timber hall in 1951 and the launch of our first veneer slicing machine in April 1952, specializing in oak oak, beech and softwoods specialized in —two species deeply rooted in the Spessart forests. During the 1980s, the descendants of previous generations were gradually bought out, and in 1987, Richard Weis took over as owner and managing director.
1999-2015
adapting to market shifts and driving innovation
In 1999, the rising demand for darker and tropical woods challenged us to innovate. Mehling & Wiesmann responded with research and product development initiatives. After the death of Adolf Weis in 2000, his grandchildren—Diana Paul, Stephanie Weis, and Philipp Weis—assumed his shares.
FAMILY BUSINESS WITH ENTHUSIASM FOR TECHNOLOGY AND A LOVE OF
TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP
Today, Mehling & Wiesmann employs around 50 dedicated employees. Our valued customers include high-quality interior designers, furniture manufacturers, architects and project developers all over the world. We are currently delighted with the beautiful veneered living worlds that are being created in New York, Dubai and Portugal.
As a traditional family business, we are proud of our history and our deep connection to the Spessart region. We are committed to the sustainable use of natural resources and rely on innovative technologies to meet the diverse requirements of our customers worldwide. The forests of the Spessart are and will remain the basis of our work.