🏢 Origins (1977–1983): From manual reading to electronic metering.

Itron was founded on 1 April 1977 in Hauser Lake, Idaho, by former Washington Water Power engineers who wanted to replace slow, error‑prone manual meter reading with electronic systems.

The name “Itron” signaled a focus on instrumentation and electronics.

Early developments:

1978 — First polyphase single‑disk electricity meter.

1979 — J5S hybrid electromechanical residential meter.

1980 — First portable handheld meter‑reading computers.

These innovations laid the groundwork for later AMR (Automatic Meter Reading) and AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure).

Expansion into Water Metering (1984–1996)

Itron expanded into Asia in 1984, followed by new manufacturing plants in France and the UK.

Introduction of Itron water meters (1986)

In 1986, Itron introduced its first dedicated water‑meter product lines:

- Flostar — single‑jet, Class C residential water meter

- Woltex — Woltmann‑type, Class B meter with horizontal helix

These two models became the backbone of Itron’s global water‑meter portfolio and remain widely used.

Between 1987–1995, the company acquired Schlumberger Industries (later integrated into Itron) and acquired several other European metering companies, expanding water‑meter expertise.

These acquisitions brought advanced European water‑meter engineering into the Itron ecosystem.

Cyble communication protocol introduced (1996) — a universal digital interface installed in all Itron water meters, enabling remote reading and early AMR/AMI integration.

AMR & AMI Leadership (1990–2005)

1990 — Itron introduced large‑scale residential AMR, enabling remote wireless collection of water, gas, and electricity data.

1995 — AMR extended specifically to water utilities worldwide.

By 2005, Itron had deployed over 45 million automated meters globally.

This positioned Itron as a global leader in smart water‑meter networks, AMI, and IoT‑enabled infrastructure. From the year 1999, ManuFlo has a special relationship with Itron/Actaris in Australia where it converts its TD8 positive displacement meters with a special high output pulse rate for precision datalogging water study applications for selected municipal water authorities locally and abroad.

Recent Developments (2018–2026)

Continued expansion into AI, analytics, and ultrasonic metering

Itron has increasingly focused on:

- Ultrasonic water meters

- AI‑driven analytics

- Edge intelligence for leak detection and water‑loss management

Financial and global footprint

Serving 8,000+ utilities in 100+ countries

2025 revenue: US$2.41 billion

2026 guidance: US$2.35–2.45 billion

Water‑Meter Product Line Overview

- Flostar — single‑jet, high‑accuracy domestic meter (1986–present)

- Woltex — Woltmann‑type bulk meter for commercial/industrial flows - TD8 - Positive displacement meters

- RF1 diaphragm meters

- Cyble‑enabled meters — universal digital pulse/serial output

- AMI‑ready ultrasonic meters — leak detection, pressure/flow analytics

- OpenWay Riva water modules — two‑way IP communications

- AMI networks (OpenWay, Gen5)

- Analytics platforms for NRW (non‑revenue water), leak detection, and consumption profiling

Summary Timeline (Water‑Meter Focus)

Year Milestone

1977 Itron founded in Idaho.

1986 First Itron water meters: Flostar & Woltex.

1990 Large‑scale AMR introduced.

1995 AMR extended to water utilities globally.

1996 Cyble communication protocol introduced.

2000 SL7000 AMI platform.

2004 Schlumberger metering acquisition.

2010 Cisco smart‑grid alliance.

2018 Silver Spring Networks acquisition.

2024–25 AI‑driven acquisitions (Elpis Squared, Urbint).

pictured below in the Museum collection is a Itron-ManuFlo high-rate pulsed meter for water studies when connected to loggers.