🧭 Bopp & Reuther (Mannheim, founded 1872)

A major German precision‑engineering firm and one of the most important names in European water‑meter history was producing water meters, industrial flow meters, and valves. From early piston and turbine meters to advanced industrial instrumentation, Bopp & Reuther became one of Europe’s leading flow‑measurement companies. Its legacy continues today through Bopp & Reuther Messtechnik and Bopp & Reuther Sicherheitsarmaturen. Origins (1872–1900) Founded: 1872 Founders: Karl Reuther and Ludwig Bopp Location: Mannheim-Waldhof, Baden-Württemberg, Germany Early Production - Precision mechanical instruments - Steam fittings - Industrial valves - Early water‑flow measurement devices By the 1880s, Bopp & Reuther had become one of Germany’s most respected precision engineering firms, supplying equipment to waterworks, breweries, chemical plants, and municipal utilities. 🏭 Rise as a Water‑Meter Manufacturer (1900–1930) By the early 20th century, Bopp & Reuther was producing: Piston water meters Turbine meters Compound meters Industrial flow meters Their meters were often used in industrial and municipal settings rather than domestic installations. Interwar & WWII Era (1930–1945) - During this period, the company expanded into: - Industrial instrumentation - Flow measurement for chemical plants - High‑pressure valves - Military‑related precision engineering (common for German firms of the era) - Invented the oval‑wheel meter principle in 1932 Water‑meter production continued, but industrial instrumentation became increasingly important. Post‑War Expansion (1945–1970) After WWII, Bopp & Reuther rebuilt and modernised its Mannheim facilities. Key developments; - Introduction of Woltmann (turbine) meters for large flows - Improved positive displacement meters - Early electromechanical registers - Expansion into nuclear and chemical instrumentation By the 1960s, Bopp & Reuther was one of Europe’s leading flow‑measurement specialists. During the 1970s to 1990s in this period, the company split into specialized divisions; Bopp & Reuther Messtechnik, Flow meters, Water meters, Industrial measurement systems and introducing Magnetic, Mass, Vortex and other advanced water meter designs and technology. Modern Era (2000–Present) The Bopp & Reuther name survives in several successor companies: Bopp & Reuther Messtechnik GmbH Water‑Meter Legacy The company no longer manufactures domestic water meters, but its industrial flow‑metering technology continues under the B&R Messtechnik brand. The HWM-Museum has a surviving B&R 1" multijet vertical meter in its collection (pictured above).