O n 1. September 1893 the two friends and brothers-in-law Franz Ramesohl and Franz Schmidt open a workshop in Oelde and start manufacturing milk separators. In 1900 more than 10,000 milk centrifuges are already in operation.

In 1906 the firm, now with a workforce of 110, go into the automobile-making business. The fierce competition forces the founders to stop the production of "Westfalia motorcars" in 1913.

In 1915 Werner Habig is appointed to the board and made a director. He runs and shapes the company effectively for 56 years. In 1929 the first company is founded in the USA.

In 1930 the era of self-cleaning separators begins.
With a turnover of 10 million deutschmarks, the company trades under the new name Westfalia Separator in 1940. Production virtually comes to a standstill in the Second World War.

In 1941 Westfalia Separator develops the first continuously operating buttermaking machine.

In 1946 post-war reconstruction begins. As from 1951 separators and milking and feeding equipment establish themselves world-wide. In Germany Westfalia Separator becomes the market leader in the milking technology sector.

In 1955 the first decanter is built and supplied to a German fish meal and train oil factory. Fields of application include animal and vegetable oils and fats, protein, starch, fish press water, coffee and tea extract, lactose, casein, caseinate, penicillin and waste water.

In 1967 sales exceed 100 million deutschmarks for the first time and top the 200 million mark in 1973. Exports climb to 59 % . Between 1976 and 1992, Westfalia Separator steadily evolves to a supplier of installations and system solutions. In 1989 the company posts a turnover of 530 million deutschmarks. In 1993 Westfalia Separator can look back on 100 years of tradition and innovation.

Since 1994 Westfalia Separator belongs to the GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, Bochum. In 2004, 17,000 or so employees generated Group revenue of EUR 4.1 billion.

In ten decades the company has advanced to a key global manufacturer of machines and process technology in the field of mechanical separation technology with a commitment to quality and growth.