Maglekilde Machine Factory
Maglekilde Machine Factory was a machine factory founded in 1865 in Roskilde, Denmark. A continuous cream-milk separator marketed by the company in 1878 played a key role in the growth of the Danish dairy industry and increased export of butter in the late 19th century.
History
Maglekilde Machine Factory was founded as O.Petersen & Co. Jernstøberi, Maskinfabrik, Værktøjsfabrik og Træskæreri by master smith Ole Petersen in Ruds Vedby in 1865. In 1865, he purchased the former Maglekilde Spa Complex in Roskilde.The operations were initially powered by water from Maglekilde but it was soon supplemented by steam power. A large new factory was completed on the other side of the street in 1877.
The machine factory specialized in machinery. In 1878, it launched the sale of a new continuous centrifugal cream-milk separator. It revolutionalized the Danish dairy industry, paving the way for the opening of many new industrial dairies and a rapid increase in Danish butter exports. Maglekilde was unable to meet the demand and after a few years sold the patent to Burmeister & Wain.
The company was renamed Maglekilde Machine Factory by a new owner in 1903.