====== MELB Holding ======
The **MELB Holding** is an independent [[holding company]] with a family structure based in the heart of the [[Vallée de Joux]], which is characterized by its proven watchmaking know-how and high industry expertise. It is led by former boss at [[Audemars Piguet]], [[Meylan, Georges-Henri|Georges-Henri Meylan]]. MELB Holding owns the haute horology brands, [[H. Moser & Cie.]] and [[Hautlence]].

MELB was formed in [[2012]] to acquire the [[Hautlence]] and [[H. Moser & Cie.]] brands which were struggling at the time. Hautlence was first, and Meylan was able to acquire the company with support from [[Muirhead, Bill|Bill Muirhead]] who was formerly financial director for [[Breguet]] and became CEO of MELB Holding. The only Hautlence founder to remain was [[Tetu, Guillaume|Guillaume Tetu]].

Shortly after this, Meylan was approached by [[Straumann, Thomas|Thomas Straumann]], who owned [[H. Moser & Cie.]] and [[Precision Engineering AG]], a producer of [[escapement]] components including [[hairspring]]s. Meylan decided to purchase Straumann's Moser Watch Holding AG, which included the H. Moser & Cie. brand and Precision Engineering operation. H. Moser & Cie. was headed up by Edouard Meylan, Georges-Henri's son who had previously overseen the high-profile but unsuccessful [[Celsius]] mobile phone concept.

According to Georges-Henri Meylan, MELB Holding is organized like the Swiss Confederation Each company is an independent entity with general services like management and distribution shared. This includes MELB Asia, a distributor in Asia for the company's brands, along with [[De Bethune]].

The MELB name is an acronym of founder Meylan's children "Meylan Edouard Léonore Bertrand". According to Georges-Henri Meylan, "the idea is not to build something up and then sell it ... it is to pass it on to the next generation." MELB Holding is based in [[Le Brassus]] in the [[Vallée de Joux]].

===== References =====
  * [[https://www.europastar.com/magazine/features/1004087814-independents-beyond-niche.html|Independents Beyond Niche]], Pierre Maillard, Europa Star, 2015
  * [[http://en.worldtempus.com/article/industry-news/people-and-interviews/melb-holding-an-interview-with-georges-henri-meylan-17916.html|MELB Holding - An Interview with Georges-Henri Meylan]], Paul O'Neil, WorldTempus, 2014


{{tag>MELB_Holding Watch_trusts Le_Brassus}}