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Our History

Leading through innovation… right from the start

Our Story

Brooks Rotameter Company
Entrepreneurial

1946Founded by Stephen A. Brooks as Brooks Rotameter Company in Lansdale, PA, introducing the first dowel‑pin rotameter design.

Innovation
Innovation

1958Launched the iconic Sho‑Rate® variable area flow meter, later used in NASA Gemini program.

Growth
Growth

1960Opened the first subsidiary outside of the USA, in Veenendaal, The Netherlands, marking the start of global expansion.

Expertise
Expertise

1964Brooks Instrument was purchased by Emerson Electric, a 50 year partnership that brought global scale, manufacturing rigor, and operational excellence.

Technology
Technology

1970s - 1980sThe Tylan-developed mass flow meter for the Apollo space mission and later acquired by Brooks, became the foundation for the world's first commercial MFCs.

Reliability
Reliability

1990sIntroduced the first weather‑proof, hazardous‑area mass flow controller and first Coriolis based low liquid flow controller, expands into Japan.

history-clarity
Clarity

2009Expanded global presence and product breadth through acquisition of Celerity Instrumentation - accelerating growth in high-tech markets.

Accuracy
Accuracy

2010sDelivered advanced platforms like the GF100 Series with real-time error detection, raising the bar for accuracy and throughput.

Focus
Focus

2012Brooks Instrument becomes part of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), introducing a new era defined by customer-back innovation, 80/20 discipline, and a revitalized entrepreneurial spirit.

Performance
Performance

2020sBrooks expanded its manufacturing footprint with new facilities in Korea and Malaysia, positioning production closer to rapidly growing semiconductor and high-tech markets.

history-trust
Trust

TodayToday, Brooks Instrument is a global partner to its broad customer base with 3 cleanrooms, 5 manufacturing plants, 9 service centers & 20 regional spares locations.

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