Why Moline?

The Moline Promise

Moline is committed to your success. We promise to provide industry leading innovations and first-class service for your custom baking systems. When you partner with Moline, expect only the best. Profit from our experience.

A Strong History of Innovation

From its entrepreneurial beginnings to today, Moline has been leading the industrial bakery equipment industry by innovating to serve our customers’ changing needs. Midwest work ethic and quality standards have driven our company to provide build-to-last equipment trusted the world over.

Prior to 1945

Harry Moline was a baker and entrepreneur. He ran a successful bakery supply business in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_1

Early 1945

Harry Moline invented the hexagonal rotary donut cutter. He thought, “If you cut donuts this way, there would be no waste!”

Moline_HIstorical_315px_2

Late 1945

Moline Inc. is formed in Duluth, Minnesota, by Harry Moline and his brother, Roy. The original product line included tools, dies and stamping equipment for bakeries.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_3

1954

Harry’s son, Don Moline, joins Moline Inc.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_4

1955

A single site manufacturing facility is acquired in 1955 and expands in the 1960s.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_5

1960s-1972

Moline Inc. expands its product line to include sheeting and dough processing systems for industrial and commercial use.

Top: Moline Model 330 – Signature Donut Production Table in Mr. Donut shops and bakeries worldwide
Middle Top: Industrial high volume pastry line
Middle Bottom: Industrial high-speed flour tortilla line
Bottom: Industrial high-volume pizza crust line

Moline_HIstorical_315px_6

1963

Harry’s son, Don, and brother, Roy, take over management of the company when Harry suddenly passes away at 53.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_7

1972

Pillsbury Company acquires Moline Inc. Integration into this major corporation broadens Moline’s international presence and prompts the addition of the Industrial Frying Line, which is manufactured by Moline to this day.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_8

1970-1980s

Moline develops high-volume fryers and donut systems.

Left: Pillsbury/Moline industrial gas donut fryer
Right: Pillsbury/Moline industrial donut proofer

Moline_HIstorical_315px_9

1984

Don’s son, Gary Moline, joins Moline. Gary’s original position was as manager of the newly formed retail/in-store division of The Moline Co.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_10

1991

Moline family and investors purchase the company back from Pillsbury, and the company becomes privately held again. The company sells the retail division to focus on the industrial market and begins operating as Moline Machinery Ltd.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_11

1991

Moline expands its facility by building an additional manufacturing building on its campus.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_12

1990s-2000s

Moline expands into international markets with advanced technology for pre-fried donut production, high capacity sheeting lines and precision tooling.

Top: High-efficiency electric fryer installed in Reims, France, 1996
Bottom: High-capacity flat bread sheeting line

Moline_HIstorical_315px_13

1995

Moline purchased the industrial product line from Donut Corporation of America (DCA), increasing market share in the industrial donut equipment business.

Top: DCA Model MD-81 high-speed mini cake donut depositor
Bottom: Cake donut depositor

Moline_HIstorical_315px_14

1995

Moline celebrates its 50-year anniversary.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_15

2012

Moline opens the doors to the new, innovative Moline Technical Center in Duluth, Minnesota. This 18,800-square foot state-of-the-art facility provides a unique and confidential atmosphere for research and development.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_16

2015

Moline purchases the product line from Tiefenthaler Machinery, further increasing the market share in topping equipment and high-viscosity pumping. The T-Topper and RAM machines are added to the Moline equipment line in a continuing effort to provide turnkey production lines for customers.

2019

Moline invests $9 million in 25,000 sq ft building addition and advanced CNC machine tools.  The Moline campus expands to 150,000 total sq ft of manufacturing space to accommodate current high demand and future growth.

Moline_HIstorical_315px_18

2020

Moline celebrates 75 years in business! The company  continues to engineer, manufacture and operate in Duluth. Company President, Gary Moline, and his children, David, Daniel and Lisa, all work at the company in different areas.

2024

After a long planned transition, Gary Moline steps down as President at the end of 2023 and shifts to executive chair of the company. Ownership transfers to his three children, David, Daniel and Lisa – the fourth generation!