Overview Johannes Elster & Emil Haas founded the "Gasmesserfabrik Luzern, Elster & Co., in Luzern" (Lucerne Gas Meter Factory, Elster & Co.). GWF MessSysteme AG is one of Europe’s longest‑continuously operating metering manufacturers. Established in Lucerne in 1899 as the Gas‑ und Wassermesserfabrik Luzern (“Gas and Water Meter Factory Lucerne”), the company evolved from precision mechanical meters to advanced ultrasonic and smart‑metering systems. Today, GWF remains a family‑owned Swiss engineering firm with a global footprint in water, gas, heat, and energy measurement. Origins & Early Development (1899–1930s)

Founded during Switzerland’s rapid municipal infrastructure expansion, GWF specialised in mechanical gas and water meters for local utilities. Early products featured:

- Brass‑bodied domestic water meters

- Cast‑iron industrial meters

- Precision mechanical registers

- Swiss‑standard calibration plates

Mid‑Century Expansion (1950s–1980s)

Post‑war reconstruction and European urban growth drove demand for reliable metering. GWF expanded into:

- Multi‑jet and Woltmann water meters

- Diaphragm gas meters

- Heat‑energy measurement systems

- Export markets across Europe and the Middle East

Transition to Digital Technologies (1990s–2010s)

- GWF was an early adopter of electronic and digital metering. Key developments included:

- Electronic registers for water and heat meters

- Ultrasonic metering platforms

- Remote‑reading systems (AMR/AMI)

- Integration with IoT and data‑management platforms

This period marked GWF’s shift from a mechanical manufacturer to a systems‑engineering company.

The company remains headquartered in Lucerne, with manufacturing and R&D facilities in Switzerland and partnerships worldwide.

GWF represents a continuous Swiss metering lineage from 1899 to the present.

It is a rare example of a family‑owned manufacturer surviving the consolidation of the European metering industry.

Early GWF meters are notable for their Swiss calibration plates, high‑precision gearing, and distinctive Lucerne markings. The Museum has a year 2021 - GWF 15mm single jet water meter in its collection -pictured top left.