1866

Ordnance Depot: Founded as an ordnance depot with development and production of surface and submarine weapons.

1922

Production of Diesel Engines: Development and production of diesel engines for ships and locomotives, starting with hot-bulb engines, followed by two-stroke engines.

1930

Series Production of Four-stroke Diesel Engines: Start of series production of four-stroke diesel engines of types M 36, M 42 and M 581. Formation of a sales organization at home and abroad.

1940-1950

Founding and early engines: Early deliveries included the M 24 and M 36 marine diesel engines, establishing the MaK brand. By 1954, they were producing a range of products including tracked vehicles, locomotives, textile machinery, and maritime technology.

1950-1970

Traditional Diesel Engines: During this period, numerous two- and four-stroke engines with four to 16 cylinders were introduced, including the MaK M 281/282, M 331/332, M 451/452/453, M 551/552, and Z 451 series. Many of these engines remain in use and continue to be supported with spare parts.

1969

Global Sales and Stationary Power: A worldwide sales and service network was established, supporting both marine engines and stationary power plants in 1969.

1977

Expansion into Large Engines and Mobile Power: The large engine series M 601 was introduced, followed shortly by an expansion into mobile power generator development, marking a period of continued innovation and diversification.

1990-1993

Restructuring and Focus on Engines: A major restructuring took place at the Kiel‑Friedrichsort site. During this period, the focus shifted exclusively to engine construction, laying the foundation for continued innovation in large engines and mobile power solutions.

1992-1996

M 20, M 25, M 32, and M 43 Engine Models: The MaK M 20 engine model was introduced with a focus on safety, efficiency, and environmental performance, establishing a platform for future diesel, gas, and dual-fuel engines. This was followed by the M 32 with outputs above 3,000 kW for marine and land-based power generation, while the M 25 bridged the gap between both models as a cost-efficient solution for fixed-pitch propellers and inland navigation. The MaK M 43 engine series was developed to meet the growing demand for high-output medium-speed engines in marine applications.

1997

Caterpillar acquired MaK: The company was renamed Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, establishing Kiel as a global technology center for medium-speed engines. The site subsequently developed and produced MaK and Cat diesel, gas, and dual-fuel engines for marine, power, and oil and gas applications, and became Caterpillar's oldest facility within its Power & Energy segment.

1999-2004

Expansion and Integration: During this period, the production footprint expanded with the establishment of an additional site in Rostock, designed for final engine assembly and testing. This phase of expansion continued with the founding of Caterpillar Motoren (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. in China, supporting further integration and global presence.

2010-2013

Logistics and Training: During this period, logistics and training capabilities were expanded to support global operations. A logistics center was established to ensure efficient worldwide spare parts distribution, while the Training Center in Kiel was modernized to provide comprehensive engine expertise for operators and dealer teams. This phase also included the formation of a joint venture with Anqing CSSC Diesel Engine Co. Ltd. and the acquisition of Caterpillar Castings Kiel GmbH, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and supporting ongoing research and development as well as production efficiency.

2014-2016

Modernization And Environmental Innovation: This phase saw the introduction of dual fuel engine technology for operation on marine diesel oil, heavy fuel oil, and liquified natural gas. It also included the development of selective catalytic reduction systems to retrofit engines for reduced nitrogen oxide emissions, supporting compliance with IMO III standards.

2016–2025

Services Transformation and Alternative Fuel Solutions: This era marked a transition toward a full-service organization, with expanded global service networks and the establishment of dedicated Services Centers to strengthen regional customer support and aftermarket capabilities. The period also saw the introduction of methanol and ethanol engine conversion solutions, enabling scalable, low-carbon retrofit options for existing MaK marine engines.