About us
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Years of
Experience
Valve Test bench excellence since 1970
We are here since decades
METRUS is the successor of a company called LS-Mechanik, founded by Mr. Lothar Seer, a former quality manager of the German valve producer Sempell AG. New by then the business idea has not changed by now: “design, development and production of top-quality valve test benches for the industry. Even though our business model is still the same we are proud to call it a “tradition“ after all these years.
Since then, there was plenty of time to master all the challenges set up especially by valve manufactures. Already in 1986, long before computers would appear in industrial production lines, we supplied the first fully automatic shell and leak test bench to complete the production process of a valve manufacturer. Our test bench gallery spans from small mobile service test benches to huge (42t) test stations, controlling pressure from vacuum to 600 bar air or 1600 bar water. There is little left what we have not dealt with so far.
Know-how and expertise of more than 40 years create our inspiration to develop innovative solutions for your individual test bench requirement.
Quality since 1970
Customer happiness in first place
An interesting History
History
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Over years of test bench construction
With roots leading back into valve design and development, from the very beginning LS-Mechanik had what is essential to build best testing solution – profound engineering knowledge about valves and high pressure.
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1960At that time, there were no dedicated manufacturers of valve test benches in Germany. The test benches in use had mostly been produced between 1930 and 1945. Growing demand from the power industry for high-pressure testing equipment was met by test benches designed by valve manufacturers themselves.
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1962At Rheinische Armaturen- und Maschinenfabrik A. Sempell, Lothar Seer develops the first automatic seal head solutions with O-ring sealing, replacing the traditional leather seals for low-pressure tests and copper seals for high-pressure tests up to 650 bar. Initially, these automatic seal heads were adapted to existing clamping units; later, new column/spindle clamping units were designed, offering clamping forces of 30 t, 60 t, 120 t, and even 400 t.
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1970In cooperation with Rheinische Armaturen- und Maschinenfabrik A. Sempell, Lothar Seer establishes LS-Mechanik Lothar Seer KG. The company focuses on developing, producing, and selling pressure and tightness test benches for valves and pressure vessels, as well as mechanical measuring levers (the mechanical predecessor of online valve testing equipment).
LS-Mechanik also delivers its first pneumatically driven N₂/air boosters and air-driven water pumps for pressures up to 1000 bar. -
1971LS-Mechanik supplies its first type-approved, pilot-operated safety valve (VSG) for high-pressure liquids. Widely used in hydraulic press applications, these valves are known for their outstanding precision, performance, and tightness. Over the following years, numerous special safety valve applications are developed based on the unique VSG design.
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1975LS-Mechanik supplies compact-design test benches to power plants, chemical facilities, and the oil and gas industry across Europe. The K-Series test benches become the standard solution, widely used in German power stations and chemical plants.
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1977Rheinische Armaturen- und Maschinenfabrik A. Sempell withdraws from LS-Mechanik, leaving Lothar Seer as the sole owner of LS-Mechanik Lothar Seer KG.
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1986LS-Mechanik supplies its first fully automatic test benches with electrical pass/fail indication, even before the introduction of computers and PLC systems.
-
1988The company delivers its first fully automatic, computer-controlled test bench for gas and water valves, designed for daily production use at a valve manufacturing facility. LS-Mechanik continues to develop the PA Series, integrating its own valve technology. The PA Series sets a new standard in reliability and accuracy.
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1990Engineer and MBA Horst Stein joins LS-Mechanik as a shareholder and managing director.
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1996The first high-pressure test bench with 1000 t clamping force and water test pressure up to 1050 bar is delivered to a leading state-owned industrial company in India, operated in two-shift production.
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2001METRUS becomes the supplier of standard valve testing software for LS-Mechanik test benches.
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2007After ten years of successful operation of the 1000 t test bench, LS-Mechanik delivers a new model with 1450 t clamping force and 1200 bar water test pressure to India.
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2008METRUS and LS-Mechanik merge, with Johannes Junior and Horst Stein becoming managing directors. Founder Lothar Seer retires and continues as an independent consultant for the company.
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2009METRUS LS-Mechanik provides valve technology and engineering for a 3000 t valve test bench, produced by a partner company.
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2010The company supplies a 2000 t clamping force, 1600 bar water test pressure test bench to India.
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2013After more than 20 years as managing director at LS-Mechanik and METRUS, Horst Stein resigns and continues as a consulting engineer. The company is now led by Johannes Junior, supported by ppa Thomas Kamphausen.
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2019Thomas Kamphausen is appointed as the second managing director alongside Johannes Junior. With many years of experience and deep technical expertise, he strengthens the management team and drives the continued development of METRUS GmbH, reflecting the company’s trust in his leadership and vision.
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2025Johannes Junior sells the METRUS GmbH to TRIATOS Capital, with Thomas Kamphausen becoming the sole managing director.
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1960At that time, there were no dedicated manufacturers of valve test benches in Germany. The test benches in use had mostly been produced between 1930 and 1945. Growing demand from the power industry for high-pressure testing equipment was met by test benches designed by valve manufacturers themselves.
-
1962At Rheinische Armaturen- und Maschinenfabrik A. Sempell, Lothar Seer develops the first automatic seal head solutions with O-ring sealing, replacing the traditional leather seals for low-pressure tests and copper seals for high-pressure tests up to 650 bar. Initially, these automatic seal heads were adapted to existing clamping units; later, new column/spindle clamping units were designed, offering clamping forces of 30 t, 60 t, 120 t, and even 400 t.
-
1970In cooperation with Rheinische Armaturen- und Maschinenfabrik A. Sempell, Lothar Seer establishes LS-Mechanik Lothar Seer KG. The company focuses on developing, producing, and selling pressure and tightness test benches for valves and pressure vessels, as well as mechanical measuring levers (the mechanical predecessor of online valve testing equipment).
LS-Mechanik also delivers its first pneumatically driven N₂/air boosters and air-driven water pumps for pressures up to 1000 bar. -
1971LS-Mechanik supplies its first type-approved, pilot-operated safety valve (VSG) for high-pressure liquids. Widely used in hydraulic press applications, these valves are known for their outstanding precision, performance, and tightness. Over the following years, numerous special safety valve applications are developed based on the unique VSG design.
-
1975LS-Mechanik supplies compact-design test benches to power plants, chemical facilities, and the oil and gas industry across Europe. The K-Series test benches become the standard solution, widely used in German power stations and chemical plants.
-
1977Rheinische Armaturen- und Maschinenfabrik A. Sempell withdraws from LS-Mechanik, leaving Lothar Seer as the sole owner of LS-Mechanik Lothar Seer KG.
-
1986LS-Mechanik supplies its first fully automatic test benches with electrical pass/fail indication, even before the introduction of computers and PLC systems.
-
1988The company delivers its first fully automatic, computer-controlled test bench for gas and water valves, designed for daily production use at a valve manufacturing facility. LS-Mechanik continues to develop the PA Series, integrating its own valve technology. The PA Series sets a new standard in reliability and accuracy.
-
1990Engineer and MBA Horst Stein joins LS-Mechanik as a shareholder and managing director.
-
1996The first high-pressure test bench with 1000 t clamping force and water test pressure up to 1050 bar is delivered to a leading state-owned industrial company in India, operated in two-shift production.
-
2001METRUS becomes the supplier of standard valve testing software for LS-Mechanik test benches.
-
2007After ten years of successful operation of the 1000 t test bench, LS-Mechanik delivers a new model with 1450 t clamping force and 1200 bar water test pressure to India.
-
2008METRUS and LS-Mechanik merge, with Johannes Junior and Horst Stein becoming managing directors. Founder Lothar Seer retires and continues as an independent consultant for the company.
-
2009METRUS LS-Mechanik provides valve technology and engineering for a 3000 t valve test bench, produced by a partner company.
-
2010The company supplies a 2000 t clamping force, 1600 bar water test pressure test bench to India.
-
2013After more than 20 years as managing director at LS-Mechanik and METRUS, Horst Stein resigns and continues as a consulting engineer. The company is now led by Johannes Junior, supported by ppa Thomas Kamphausen.
-
2019Thomas Kamphausen is appointed as the second managing director alongside Johannes Junior. With many years of experience and deep technical expertise, he strengthens the management team and drives the continued development of METRUS GmbH, reflecting the company’s trust in his leadership and vision.
-
2025Johannes Junior sells the METRUS GmbH to TRIATOS Capital, with Thomas Kamphausen becoming the sole managing director.
Exhibitions
You can find us at
the following exhibitions
Metrus GmbH
Richard-Lucas-Str. 6
41812 Erkelenz
Germany
Richard-Lucas-Str. 6
41812 Erkelenz
Germany
