LEWA

LEWA is a German industrial pump and process-systems manufacturer headquartered in Leonberg, in the Stuttgart metropolitan region. The company develops diaphragm metering pumps, process diaphragm pumps, customized metering and mixing systems, odorizing systems, and production units for applications where accurate, reliable, and controlled fluid handling is required. Its customers operate across oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical processing, plastics, power and energy utilities, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, personal care, and cleaning and detergent production. The business began in 1952 as Ingenieurbüro LEWA, an engineering office established by Herbert Ott and Rudolf Schestag. The name LEWA is derived from Leonberger Wasseraufbereitung, referring to water conditioning in Leonberg. In its early years, the company concentrated on engineering and pump technology. A 1954 patent application for a rocker arm pump and the company’s first participation in the Achema industrial exhibition in Frankfurt in 1955 marked early steps toward commercial and technical visibility. Research and development became more formalized in 1961, when LEWA established a research group. The company later applied for a patent covering a sandwich diaphragm for diaphragm pumps in 1968. From 1971 onward, LEWA expanded beyond individual pump technology and began developing complete metering systems and production units. This shift laid the foundation for its later positioning as an engineered-solution provider rather than solely a component manufacturer. A major product development was the introduction of the LEWA ecoflow diaphragm pump in 2003. The ecoflow became an important contributor to the company’s business and represented the continuing development of LEWA’s controlled, low-leakage pumping technology. In 2011, LEWA also developed a system for process chromatography, extending its application range into a specialized process industry field. LEWA’s ownership changed during the 2000s and 2010s. Deutsche Beteiligungs AG acquired the company in 2006. Since 2009, LEWA was part of the Japanese Nikkiso group, whose wider activities included industrial and specialized pump-related businesses as well as equipment for water conditioning, aerospace, and medical applications. LEWA’s management structure changed several times during this period. Bernd M. Stütz handed over the chief executive position to Naota Shikano in 2013. In 2016, Peter Wagner became managing director and assumed leadership of a newly created industrial division that included LEWA and other Nikkiso-related businesses. In 2018, Tsunehisa Suita replaced Wagner at the head of the LEWA Group. Since 2022, LEWA has been part of the Swedish Atlas Copco Group. Within that broader industrial portfolio, LEWA continues to operate as a specialist provider of metering, process-pumping, and customized fluid-handling solutions. Its systems are used in demanding industrial environments, including oil and gas and chemical production, where pressure capability, dosing precision, containment, and system integration are important purchasing criteria. Publicly available reference material identifies products with discharge pressures reaching up to 1,200 bar, including the ecoflow, ecosmart, and ecodos metering-pump families and the ecoflow and triplex process-pump offerings.

LEWA was founded in 1952 in Leonberg, Germany, as Ingenieurbüro LEWA by engineers Herbert Ott and Rudolf Schestag. The name originated from Leonberger Wasseraufbereitung, or water conditioning in Leonberg. The company initially operated as an engineering and pump-technology business, developing equipment for controlled fluid handling. Its early technical development included a 1954 patent application for a rocker arm pump. In 1955, LEWA appeared at Achema in Frankfurt for the first time, giving the young company a presence at one of Germany’s important industrial and process-technology exhibitions. In 1961, it established a dedicated research group to advance pump development. LEWA applied for a patent for a sandwich diaphragm used in diaphragm pumps in 1968, an innovation associated with the company’s continuing focus on diaphragm technology. Beginning in 1971, LEWA expanded its scope to include complete metering systems and production units. This broadened the company’s role from pump supplier to systems engineer. Its technology became relevant to industries requiring accurate dosing and reliable containment, including chemical processing, energy, oil and gas, and later pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications. The launch of the LEWA ecoflow diaphragm pump in 2003 was a significant product milestone and became an important support for the company’s revenues. In 2006, Deutsche Beteiligungs AG acquired LEWA. The company’s long period as a family-owned business had already ended with the death of Herbert Ott in 1999. In 2009, LEWA became part of Nikkiso, a Japanese industrial group with activities in pumps, water conditioning, aerospace equipment, and medical technology. LEWA continued broadening its engineering capabilities during the Nikkiso period. In 2011, it developed a system for process chromatography. Management changes followed in 2013, 2016, and 2018. Bernd M. Stütz handed the chief executive role to Naota Shikano in 2013. Peter Wagner became managing director in 2016 and also led a newly established Industrial Division comprising LEWA and several other Nikkiso-related businesses. In 2018, Tsunehisa Suita replaced Wagner as head of the LEWA Group, while Wagner moved to the leadership of Nikkiso’s Cryogenic Industries group. Since 2022, LEWA has belonged to Atlas Copco Group. The company remains headquartered in Leonberg and continues to supply diaphragm metering pumps, process pumps, and integrated systems. Its current product scope includes metering pumps such as ecoflow, ecosmart, and ecodos; process-pump products including ecoflow and triplex; and customized metering, mixing, odorizing, and production systems. Reference material describes applications across oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical production, plastics, energy utilities, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, personal care, and cleaning and detergent manufacturing, with some products specified for discharge pressures of up to 1,200 bar.

1. 2022Joined Atlas Copco Group

   LEWA became part of the Swedish Atlas Copco Group.

   Source
2. 2011Process chromatography system developed

   LEWA developed a system for process chromatography.

   Source
3. 2003LEWA ecoflow introduced

   The ecoflow diaphragm pump entered the market and became an important contributor to the company’s business.

   Source
4. 1971Expansion into complete systems

   LEWA began developing complete metering systems and production units in addition to individual pump products.

   Source
5. 1968Sandwich diaphragm patent application

   LEWA applied for a patent relating to a sandwich diaphragm for diaphragm pumps.

   Source
6. 1961Research group established

   The company created a research group to support development of its pump technology.

   Source
7. 1955First participation in Achema

   LEWA participated in the Achema exhibition in Frankfurt am Main for the first time.

   Source
8. 1954Rocker arm pump patent application

   LEWA applied for a patent covering a rocker arm pump.

   Source
9. 1952LEWA founded in Leonberg

   Herbert Ott and Rudolf Schestag established Ingenieurbüro LEWA, the engineering business that became LEWA.

   Source

LEWA positions itself as an engineered industrial-flow specialist that combines diaphragm-pump technology with complete, application-specific metering, mixing, odorizing, and production systems. Its value proposition centers on precise dosing, high-pressure capability, process reliability, and customized integration for demanding industrial and regulated applications.

• LEWA ecoflowDiaphragm metering and process pump2003

  The ecoflow is a LEWA diaphragm-pump platform introduced in 2003. It is used for controlled metering and process-fluid transfer in demanding industrial applications. Reference material identifies ecoflow among LEWA products capable of discharge pressures of up to 1,200 bar, although the applicable rating depends on the specific configuration and service.

• LEWA ecosmartDiaphragm metering pump

  The ecosmart is part of LEWA’s diaphragm metering-pump range. It is intended for accurate and reliable dosing of process fluids and is offered for industrial applications where controlled delivery and diaphragm-based fluid separation are required. The reference material lists ecosmart among LEWA metering pumps with pressure capability reaching up to 1,200 bar in relevant configurations.

• LEWA ecodosDiaphragm metering pump

  The ecodos is a LEWA diaphragm metering-pump family for precise dosing in industrial process environments. It belongs to the company’s standard pump portfolio and is used where dependable metering, process compatibility, and controlled fluid handling are required. Specific performance depends on the selected model and application configuration.

• LEWA triplexProcess diaphragm pump

  The triplex is identified by LEWA as a process diaphragm-pump offering. It is designed for industrial process duties requiring reliable transfer of fluids under demanding operating conditions. The product is part of the company’s broader process-pump and engineered-systems portfolio rather than a consumer-facing product line.

• Customized metering, mixing, and odorizing systemsEngineered industrial process system1971

  LEWA supplies integrated systems that combine pumping with metering, mixing, and odorizing functions. These systems are configured for particular process requirements and can form part of larger production units. Their applications include industrial fluid treatment and process operations in sectors such as oil and gas, chemicals, energy, and specialty manufacturing.

• Process chromatography systemProcess equipment system2011

  In 2011, LEWA developed a system for process chromatography. The development extended the company’s application scope beyond conventional industrial pumping into a specialized process-technology area. The available reference material does not provide detailed model information or current commercial specifications.

• 2022LEWA became part of Atlas Copco GroupM&A

  LEWA had operated within Nikkiso’s group since 2009 and was subsequently transferred into the Swedish Atlas Copco industrial portfolio.

  What changed. Atlas Copco Group acquired or otherwise brought LEWA into its group structure.

  Aftermath. LEWA continued operating as a specialist supplier of pumps and engineered fluid-handling systems within Atlas Copco Group.

  Source
• 2016Management and industrial-division restructuringStrategy

  Nikkiso reorganized the management of several industrial businesses associated with LEWA.

  What changed. Peter Wagner became LEWA managing director and assumed leadership of a newly created Industrial Division comprising LEWA, Geveke NV, Nikkiso Cryo, and Nikkiso’s Japanese pump business.

  Aftermath. Naota Shikano moved to Nikkiso’s parent company in Japan, while the divisional structure later preceded further leadership changes.

  Source
• 2009LEWA joined NikkisoM&A

  Following the 2006 ownership change, LEWA entered a broader Japanese industrial group with pump-related and other specialized technology activities.

  What changed. Nikkiso acquired or incorporated LEWA into its corporate group.

  Aftermath. LEWA operated within Nikkiso’s industrial organization until joining Atlas Copco Group in 2022.

  Source
• 2006Deutsche Beteiligungs AG acquired LEWAM&A

  LEWA had developed as a family-owned engineering and pump business. The acquisition introduced investment-company ownership.

  What changed. Deutsche Beteiligungs AG acquired LEWA.

  Aftermath. LEWA subsequently became part of Nikkiso in 2009.

  Source

• 2022LEWA became part of Atlas Copco Group

  LEWA joined the Swedish Atlas Copco Group and became part of its international industrial-equipment portfolio.

  M&A
  Source
• 2018Tsunehisa Suita took over leadership of the LEWA Group

  Tsunehisa Suita replaced Peter Wagner as head of the LEWA Group. Wagner moved to lead the Cryogenic Industries group of companies acquired by Nikkiso.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2016LEWA restructured its management and industrial division

  LEWA reorganized its management structure. Peter Wagner became managing director and also took responsibility for a newly created Industrial Division that included LEWA and other Nikkiso-related businesses, while Naota Shikano moved to Nikkiso’s Japanese parent organization.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2013LEWA changed chief executive leadership

  Long-serving chief executive Bernd M. Stütz handed over his position to Naota Shikano on January 1, 2013.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2009LEWA became part of Nikkiso

  LEWA joined the Japanese Nikkiso group, linking the pump manufacturer with a broader international industrial technology organization.

  M&A
  Source
• 2006LEWA acquired by Deutsche Beteiligungs AG

  Deutsche Beteiligungs AG acquired LEWA, ending the company’s earlier family-owned ownership period and placing it under investment-company ownership.

  M&A
  Source

1. LEWA