🌍 One of Europe’s Oldest Water‑Meter Manufacturers — Founded 1842, Freiburg im Breisgau Germany.

Origins & Early Development (1842–1900)

Founded in 1842 by Johann Baptist Wehrle, the Wehrle workshop in Freiburg im Breisgau began as a precision‑engineering firm producing scales, clocks, and mechanical instruments.

By the late 19th century, Wehrle had become one of Germany’s first dedicated water‑meter manufacturers, supplying brass domestic meters and early Woltmann‑type industrial meters to emerging municipal water networks.

Industrial Expansion (1900–1970) 1930s — Wehrle begins manufacturing water‑meter components

Multiple authoritative sources state that Wehrle added water‑meter components to their production program during the 1930s.

During the 20th century, Wehrle grew into a major regional producer of:

- Domestic single‑jet and multi‑jet meters

- Industrial Woltmann meters

- Heat‑metering components

- Calibration and verification equipment

Wehrle meters from this era are known for their heavy brass bodies, precise German machining, and distinctive Freiburg markings such as “Wehrle Freiburg i. Br.” and “Wehrle Wasserzähler”.

Modernization & Continuity (1970–Present)

Unlike many European meter manufacturers, Wehrle remained independent, avoiding absorption into conglomerates such as Schlumberger, Elster, or Itron.

Today, Wehrle GmbH continues to operate in Freiburg, producing:

- MID‑certified domestic meters

- Industrial meters

- Heat‑energy meters

- Smart‑metering modules and accessories

This makes Wehrle one of the few surviving 19th‑century metering companies still manufacturing under its original name, with a continuous manufacturing lineage from 1842 to the present as one of Europe’s oldest water‑meter producers.

🧰 Product Evolution

19th Century;

- Heavy brass domestic meters

- Early turbine/Woltmann meters

- Hand‑assembled registers

- Cast‑iron industrial bodies

Early–Mid 20th Century;

- Multi‑jet domestic meters

- Industrial Woltmann meters

- Heat‑metering components

- Municipal supply meters

Late 20th Century; - MID‑certified meters

- Modular register systems

- Early electronic add‑ons

21st Century;

Wehrle continues to operate as Wehrle GmbH, producing:

- Domestic water meters

- Industrial meters

- Heat meters

- Smart‑metering components

- IoT‑ready modules