👉 SCHLUMBERGER METERING — HISTORY & ORIGINS

From a French engineering dynasty → to the world’s largest metering conglomerate → later absorbed into Itron

Origins: The Schlumberger Brothers (1870s–1920s)

Schlumberger’s roots begin with the Schlumberger family of Alsace, France — a dynasty of engineers and inventors.

Conrad Schlumberger (1878–1936), Marcel Schlumberger (1884–1953)

They founded Schlumberger in the early 20th century, originally focused on electrical measurement, geophysics, and instrumentation.

Although the company is best known today for oilfield services, it built a massive metering empire from the 1920s onward.

Their early work focused on electrical measurement, instrumentation, and industrial control systems.

This scientific culture later expanded into utility metering, where Schlumberger became a global force.

Now SLB company, formerly known as Schlumberger is a multinational oilfield services company founded in France in 1926.

⭐ Entry into Water & Energy Metering (1920s–1950s)

Schlumberger expanded aggressively into:

- Water meters

- Gas meters

- Electricity meters

- Industrial flow measurement

They acquired or partnered with multiple European meter makers, creating one of the first global metering groups.

Key early strengths were Precision brass water meters, Industrial Woltmann meters and Electromechanical electricity meters.

By the 1930s, Schlumberger had established itself as a multi‑utility metering manufacturer, supplying European municipalities and industrial clients.

⭐ Schlumberger Industries (1960s–1990s)

By the 1960s, Schlumberger had consolidated its metering operations under:

Schlumberger Industries

This division became a global powerhouse, owning or controlling: SAPPEL (France) founded 1948 was acquired by Schlumberger in the 1970s which became the primary water‑meter factory.

Later became Actaris → Itron - Address: 1 Rue de la Fontaine, 68300 Saint‑Louis, France

Plessey Metering (UK) was acquired by Schlumberger in the 1980s which produced water, gas, and electricity meters.

Plessey Metering (UK) was founded in 1917. Its metering division began making specialist water meters in 1976.

Schlumberger had various European and American meter factories and by the 1980s, the largest metering manufacturer in the world.

They introduced AMR (early remote‑reading) systems. Footnote: ManuFlo incorporated, stocked and marketed a range of Schlumberger/Actaris water meters.

🌍 The Actaris Era (2001–2007)

In 2001, Schlumberger spun off its entire metering division into a new company ACTARIS.

Actaris inherited Schlumberger’s water‑meter factories; - Sappel (France)

- Plessey Metering (UK)

- Gas and electricity metering divisions

- Global AMR technologies

Actaris became the largest multi‑utility metering company in Europe.

⭐ Acquisition by Itron (2007)

In 2007, Itron (USA) acquired Actaris for USD $1.7 billion.

This created the world’s largest water‑meter and electricity-meter manufacturer and a global AMR/AMI leader.

Many Schlumberger‑era meter designs remained in production.

🧬 Corporate Lineage

Schlumberger (France, early 1900s)

→ Schlumberger Industries (1960s)

→ Actaris (2001)

→ Itron (2007–present) Bottom left is a Schlumberger meter in the Museum collection.