Founded in 1906 by Adolf Mohr as a machine shop specializing in the manufacture of woodworking and metalworking machinery, POLAR has grown over the course of more than a century to become the world's leading manufacturer of paper cutters.

#Key milestones:

1906 – Adolf Mohr Maschinenfabrik is founded, initially active in the manufacture of machinery for the woodworking industry.

1920 – The POLAR brand is launched. Adolf Mohr was the first manufacturer to produce cutterheads equipped with ball bearings. This innovation prevented the cutterheads from overheating during high-speed rotation in planing machines. During operation, the "poles" of the cutterheads—the bearings—remained cool, much like the Earth's poles. Consequently, the name "POLAR" quickly gained worldwide recognition alongside the cutterhead, which featured a patented blade-mounting system.

1946–1949 – The first high-speed paper cutters are developed following World War II. In 1949, the historic partnership with *Heidelberger Druckmaschinen* begins.

1951 – First edition of the drupa trade fair in Düsseldorf featuring POLAR.

1952 – First paper cutter with electronic servo-assisted control – optical scanning system.

1954 – First paper cutter with a direct optical measurement indicator at eye level (O.M.A.). First cutter with an optical cut-line indicator. First cutter in Europe with an air-cushion table.

1956 – First paper cutter with direct control via magnetic tape – ELTROMAT. First paper cutter with the SINUS self-adhesive cutting strip. First paper cutter with a fixed pile lift.

1958 – First paper cutter with a flexible false clamp. The 5,000th POLAR machine is sold at the 1958 Drupa trade fair.

1960 – Third POLAR logo. Used until 1992.

1961 – First paper cutter with an air-transport system. First paper cutter equipped with retractable side guides. The 10,000th POLAR machine is sold at the 1962 Drupa trade fair. First paper cutter with a hydraulic clutch and a mechanical knife-changing system.

1965 – First paper cutter equipped with a monitor – POLAR Telexact (a prerequisite for fully automatic remote control and external programming). First paper cutter equipped with tilting tables and an air-cushion pallet system.

1967 – First paper cutter equipped with alignment guides that are identical on both the cutter and the printing press – FIXOMAT. Founding of the world's first cutting school in Hofheim. The 20,000th POLAR machine is sold at Drupa ’67. New generation of high-speed POLAR paper cutters: models 90/115/150.

1970 – First paper cutter with loading and unloading systems – POLAR Transomat – and diagnostic service via test computer (POLAR Dignotest).

1976 – First paper cutter with electronic limitation of backgauge movement and fully automatic loading – Transomat 3 BL.

1978 – First computer-controlled paper cutter with interchangeable electronic memory – ELTROMAT CNC. First paper cutter equipped with a direct linear measuring system.

1981 – First paper cutter with a blade-lifting system (for quick blade replacement). 50,000th POLAR machine worldwide. First paper cutter with a special loading device for ream-packed paper: POLAR Transomat A.

1986 – First paper cutter with automatic waste removal and automatic collection of cut labels onto support plates – POLAR Autotrim. First paper cutter with a stacking-board accumulation system. First paper cutter with a movable 12-inch monitor. First paper cutter with a color monitor. First paper cutter equipped with automatic clamp pressure adjustment. First system for external, computer-aided generation of cutting programs, with automatic transfer to the cutting machine – POLAR Compucut. First fully automatic cutting system for multi-strip cutting – POLAR Autocut.

1989 – Construction of the new "Technical Office and Showroom Center." First paper cutter with automatic graphical programming and program optimization.

1990 – First paper cutter with a 64 KB (removable) memory card. First paper cutter equipped with a rotating gripper. First fully automatic system for marking counted layers of printed sheets and precisely separating layers from the stacks: POLAR Chip-Marker. First paper cutter with quick blade replacement from the front, precision front adjustment, and automatic stop at the bottom dead center. First automatic air-blast and aeration device to facilitate the jogging process.

1992 – POLAR 176, the new high-speed paper cutter for large formats; introduction of the new corporate image and the POLAR 2000 concept, including the POLAR corporate logo No. 4.

1995 – New generation of high-speed cutters featuring, among other things, color displays and process visualization (POLAR 78); 100,000th POLAR machine (drupa '95). First cutter with cutting optimization (accelerated cutting sequence).

1996 – POLAR 66, the new high-speed cutter for small-format print products. First company certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001. New construction, second phase of the "Central Machine Assembly" department. First cutter with automatic waste removal and automatic collection of cut labels onto support plates – POLAR Autotrim. First cutter with a stacking-board accumulation system. First cutter with a movable 12-inch monitor. First cutter with a color monitor. First cutter equipped with automatic clamp pressure adjustment. First system for external, computer-aided generation of cutting programs, with automatic transfer to the cutting machine – POLAR Compucut. First fully automatic cutting system for multi-strip cutting – POLAR Autocut.

1997 – New generation of POLAR peripheral equipment (ream lifts, automatic joggers, Transomat units). New POLAR 78 generation (ES/ED). New central warehouse (with goods receiving department). POLAR goes online.

1999 – POLAR develops a pile turner. New automatic jogger RAH. New stacking-board rack STR. New painting department.

2000 – First high-speed cutter equipped for video conferencing: PCM (POLAR Control Management). POLAR Label Systems. Recertification according to DIN EN ISO 9001.

2004 – The first fully automatic cutting system enables operator-free production; POLAR acquires 100% of bandpack. Introduction of the 10th generation of POLAR high-speed cutters, featuring 15" TFT color monitors, touch screens, the new OptiKnife blade-changing system, and the P-Net networking concept. Launch of PACE, a communication system for automated cutting systems (an acronym for POLAR Automated Cutting for Efficiency). Completion of a new plant expansion dedicated to peripheral equipment. Unveiled at the Drupa trade fair: a new line of banding machines (single-station BD and multi-station BM-105 models), the Autosort multi-unloading system, the new Autojog turning gripper, and the fully automated Autojog squaring system. Availability of an interactive web-based training program.

2006 – Groundbreaking ceremony for the new spare parts warehouse. Construction begins on production facilities in China. Company centenary – Opening of the new POLAR Service Center (PSC), featuring a highly efficient warehousing and shipping system. Opening of POLAR Postpress Machinery (PPM) in China, with approximately 40 employees – 125,000th POLAR machine installed worldwide.

2012 – Drupa featuring numerous innovations and options (including TwinClamp, CountMonitor, PowerMonitor); 130,000th POLAR machine installed worldwide. Launch of the PickStack restacking station. Introduction of the barcode scanner and the new parts-counting scale. Drupa 2012: Introduction of the new "N" generation of high-speed cutters. Product range expanded to include the hydraulic cutter 56 variant equipped with NET control.

2016 – Launch of the BC 330 three-side trimmer. Compucut 5.0. POLAR celebrates 55 years in the peripherals sector. POLAR presents a world premiere: EasyLoad. Exclusive distribution partnership with Guillo-Crease. Mohr-Shop: cutter consumables and accessories now available for purchase online. 10 years of POLAR Postpress Machinery.

2017 – POLAR celebrates its 111th anniversary with commemorative machines. Automation of the cutting process. New design for the POLAR logo. POLAR invests in a new training center. Launch of Compucut GO: the simple "plug-and-play" variant for generating cutting programs.

2018 – The new Transomat 4BL loads material directly onto the rear table of the high-speed cutter. FARM (Fully Automated Ream Management): in addition to established PACE systems, POLAR also offers concepts and implementation for customized automation solutions.

2020 – Drupa 2020 is cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic; cancellations of other trade fairs follow. The next Drupa is scheduled for 2024. POLAR introduces live demonstrations. New safety device for high-speed cutters: self-monitoring light curtains. POLAR presents AirGo Jog: fully automatic material preparation with precise jogging/alignment. New minimum format for LabelSystem SC 25: 11 x 27 mm.

2021 – POLAR celebrates its 115th anniversary. 15 years of POLAR Postpress Machinery. POLAR unveils the DC-12 Rapid—a world-first innovation—as a fully autonomous system for label production. POLAR integrates a new, state-of-the-art industrial control system that enables remote support (remote diagnostics and maintenance), further enhancing machine availability and integration into the digital workflow.

2023 – In February, SOL Capital Management joins POLAR as an investor. The transaction is accompanied by a corporate reorganization: the operations of Adolf Mohr Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG are taken over by POLAR Cutting Technologies GmbH.

2025 – POLAR becomes a HEIDELBERG brand. This grants HEIDELBERG exclusive rights to distribute, market, and service POLAR products in the global post-press sector. The operations of POLAR Cutting Technologies GmbH are taken over by HEIDELBERG Postpress Deutschland GmbH.

# Today:

With over 120 years of experience, POLAR remains an international benchmark in the development of professional paper cutters and automation systems for finishing within the graphic arts industry.

Discover our POLARs ready for delivery:

137N Plus (2016), 115N Plus (2013), 115X (2007), 115 EM-MON (1990), 92N Plus (2025), 80N (2015).

For more info: sales@wgm.it / +39 3471554816