Metrohm: Our past, present and future

Metrohm's humble beginnings date back to 1943 Herisau, Switzerland, when Engineer Bertold Suhner began designing high-frequency devices in a rented room of an old textile factory. Soon after, he teamed with renown Chemist J.R. Geigy to produce Metrohm's first pH meter.

Many “firsts” have followed: in 1950 Metrohm introduced the first combined pH electrode; in 1956, the piston-buret—which remains the basic blueprint of today's titrators and liquid handling systems; 1968 ushered in the launch of the first digital titrator; and jumping to 1987, the titration instrument product offering expanded to include single-column ion chromatographs.

The list goes on. suffice to say that Metrohm is all about innovation and technical competence. Has been from the beginning, and always will be.

Philanthropists at heart as well, in the 1980s Metrohm decided to hand their successful company over to their hometown of Herisau to create the Metrohm foundation. It's purpose: to keep the company an independent entity, provide meaningful employment to the local community and support their public interest causes. This special arrangement has proven itself to be a win-win for everyone: Metrohm nurtures its employees and surroundings; and their loyalty, in turn, sustains its competence, expertise and throughput. Profits are put right back into the company to drive technical advances, further explore R&D and steer product expansion.

Until recently Brinkmann Instruments represented Metrohm for both instrument sales and support services in the U.S. and Canada.  Through Brinkmann, the company always kept a keen eye on customer needs in North America—and monitored how those needs have changed over time.

Product updates and software upgrades have always been in direct response to information gleaned from the labs Brinkmann visited on Metrohm's behalf. They did such a great job of it that, over time, Metrohm purchased the Brinkmann business. In 2006 Brinkmann became a wholly owned subsidiary of Metrohm.

In 2008 Brinkmann Instruments and Metrohm-Peak joined forces to unite Metrohm’s titration and electrochemistry divisions with its ion chromatography division in North America. From it, Metrohm USA was born with a deeper dedication and stronger commitment to supporting analytical testing labs across the continent.

In 2009 Applikon Analytical, renown for at-line and on-line wet chemical analyzers with worldwide headquarters in Schiedam, Netherlands, cemented its 30+ year partnership with Metrohm by becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Metrohm group. Applikon’s North American applications and service teams will continue to operate from their regional office in Houston until further notice.

And January 1, 2011 marks the official rebranding of Brinkmann Instruments in Canada to Metrohm Canada, Inc. Following the US transformation almost exactly, the Canadian office (Mississauga, Ontario) is simultaneously growing and concentrating its efforts improving sales, support and service channels for titration, ion chromatography and electrochemistry customers throughout the country.

Stay tuned for more developments. We are constantly growing and evolving to better serve you; our next exciting announcement is just months away, but we’ll give you a sneak peek now:
See pictures of Metrohm’s new headquarters being built in Herisau, Switzerland now!