Mollers Inc.           

When you need a packer wheel on your drill repaired in the midst of seeding your crop in the spring—where can you go?

When your rockshaft for your cultivator has to be straightened—who do you find to fix it?

What about a hydraulic pump repaired, a new or rebuilt spindle for the tractor, a truck frame stretched for a new truck box?

It is not always a matter of who—also how fast can it be done—and how good a job will it be when it is done.

For more than 80 years now, the name that comes to most area farmers’ and truckers’ minds is "Mollers."

In the first decade of the 20^th century in Naasaker, Sweden, John Mahler (naturalized to Moller) was there for people to have their wagons and plows repaired. He decided to find a new life in North America, landing in British Columbia and working as a lumberjack before moving to Blackduck, Minnesota. In 1913 he moved to the York area in northwest Benson Country of North Dakota. In 1914, he bought the local farm repair shop known as the York Blacksmith Shop. He purchased an arc-welder and borrowed from his life insurance to pay for it. In 1927, he purchased his first turning lathe.

John and his wife, Victoria, a British native, became the parents of 2 sons, John in 1925, and Thomas in 1927. Both boys began at a young age to carry on the tradition. John (Melvin) moved to Bisbee where he operated a shop until his death in 1985.

Tom started in the shop at the age of 9 and except for a couple of years in the Air Force from 1945 to 1947 has been at it ever since. Tom and his wife, Gwen, bought the York business from John, Sr. in 1953.

Gwen has worked with the office part of the business throughout the years, as have all of 3 of their children at various times—Greg, Peggy, and Tom Jr. Tom’s mother, 99, lives in the Haaland Home in Rugby. The business was renamed, Mollers Inc. in 1973 when it was incorporated.

A new building was erected in 1965, a fertilizer and chemical storage warehouse in 1972, several additions were added to the main building throughout the years. An addition was constructed in 1994 with large doors to accommodate combines, semi-trucks and other large equipment.

Jim Whalen has worked at the shop intermittently for many years until he was permanently employed in 1983 and is still working full-time. He is responsible for designing and building many of the farm equipment implements we build to sell and is extremely adept at repairing many types of farm equipment. Tom Jr. came back to the shop in 1997 and is buying the business. Tom Jr.’s wife, Mamar, is working as the bookkeeper. Greg who farms, also helps in the shop at various times. Tom, Sr. still works—shorter days than in the past.

New machinery has been added through the years: wire-feed welders, iron cutting shears and punches, turret lathes, vertical and horizontal milling machines. surface grinders, newer turning lathes, metal brakes for bending metal sheets, air arc and plasma cutters, a 6 ton Kraus fertilizer blender, bulk chemical distribution, and hydraulic hose crimpers.

The above tools have greatly enhanced our business but through it all; the most important aspect of our business is our "commitment to provide the best service and quality to our many valued customers." Moller’s Inc. has always concentrated on personal service and will continue to do so in the next millennium.