What Leitech Instrument does

Leitech-US Ltd., operating since 1989 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the exclusive North American master distributor for Leitech Instruments of Gilleleje, Denmark. The business is built around a single proprietary product category — the COMBI Gage — a precision metrology instrument invented by Leif Larsen in 1989 that simultaneously verifies functional thread size (via a GO member) and delivers a direct numerical depth reading (via a calibrated telescoping sleeve that contacts the part face) in one operation. The product line spans four tiered models — Standard COMBI (starting $434), Hi-Resolution COMBI with a locking device for confined spaces (starting $638), Digi-COMBI with 0.01mm digital readout and RS232/wireless SPC output (starting $1,233), and the DMG motorized gage for high-volume automated lines (quote-based) — plus an accessory ecosystem (Calibration Master, Setting Disc, Member Removal Sleeve, Wear Shoes, Ball Measure System, special coatings).

The company sells primarily to precision manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, defense, medical device, energy, heavy equipment, and contract machining segments, with over 5,000 customer companies across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Named enterprise accounts include Ford, GM, Tesla, Toyota, BMW (1,200+ instruments in use at Motorenwerk Steyr), GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Collins Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, Medtronic, Caterpillar, John Deere, Baker Hughes, Emerson, and Parker Hannifin. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales (with free demo gages shipped in the customer's exact thread size), direct e-commerce at leitech.com, and an authorized distributor network (Judge Tool & Gage, Willrich Precision Instruments, MSI-Viking). Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales, replacement thread members (recurring), custom gage solutions for specialized applications (NPT, STI/Helicoil, left-hand threads, special coatings), and calibration tools.

The business operates as a family-operator distribution company with Danish parent ownership; US operations are led by President Mike Thorson and Managing Director Tony Thorson. Leitech holds no patents or trademarks in the public record but operates under a regulatory moat anchored in NIST-traceable calibration to ISO 1502 and FED-STD-H28 standards, which positions the product as the de facto method for AS9100, NADCAP, FAI, MIL-SPEC, and FDA-compliant thread depth inspection. The brand has become category-defining: engineers request "a Leitech" rather than a generic "thread depth gage." The company received an Industrial Design Award from the Danish Design Council for the original COMBI invention.

Name

Leitech Instrument

Legal name

Leitech-US Ltd.

Website

https://leitech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Leitech-US is the exclusive North American master distributor for Leitech Instruments of Denmark, selling the patented COMBI Gage — a precision metrology instrument that simultaneously verifies thread size and depth. It serves 5,000+ precision manufacturers across automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, and energy sectors via direct sales, e-commerce, and authorized distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Measurement Instruments

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)

Keywords

• Thread depth gages
• Precision measurement instruments
• Thread inspection tools
• SPC measurement gages
• Cylindrical depth gaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Precision Measurement Instrument Sales: Sale of Leitech COMBI Gage instruments including Standard, Hi-Resolution, Digi-COMBI, and DMG models. One-time hardware purchase with renewable insert replacement system.
2. Custom Gage Solutions: Custom-designed gages for specialized applications including angled holes, counterbores, special coatings (Chrome, TiAlN, DLC), left-hand threads, NPT/pipe threads, and STI/Helicoil thread inserts.
3. NIST-Traceable Calibration Services: Calibration services ensuring NIST-traceable accuracy per ISO 1502 and FED-STD-H28 standards. Calibration Master and Setting Disc products for in-house calibration.
4. Replacement Thread Members and Accessories: Replacement GO and NoGo thread members, Member Removal Sleeves, Calibration Masters, and Setting Discs for ongoing maintenance and renewal of existing gages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leitech designs, manufactures, and distributes the COMBI Gage family of precision instruments that simultaneously verify functional thread size and measure thread depth in a single operation using a calibrated telescoping sleeve mechanism. The product line includes Standard, Hi-Resolution, Digi-COMBI (digital with wireless SPC), and DMG (motorized) models, alongside cylindrical measurement variants and calibration accessories. All instruments are NIST-traceable per ISO 1502 and FED-STD-H28, calibrated from the first full thread ridge.

Product overview

Leitech Instruments, founded by Leif Larsen in Gilleleje, Denmark, and distributed exclusively in North America by Leitech-US, offers the COMBI Gage family — precision instruments that simultaneously verify thread size and measure functional thread depth in a single operation. The product line comprises four main gage models: the Standard COMBI (production workhorse, 0.5mm resolution, $434+), Hi-Resolution COMBI (precision model for aerospace/medical, 0.1mm resolution, $638+), Digi-COMBI (digital with wireless SPC output, 0.01mm resolution, $1,233+), and DMG (motorized for high-volume automated lines, pricing upon request). The core innovation is a calibrated telescoping sleeve that contacts the part face as the GO thread member enters, delivering a direct numerical depth reading from the first full thread ridge — NIST-traceable to FED-STD-H28 and ISO 1502. Supporting products include the Cylindrical COMBI for non-threaded bores, calibration tools (Calibration Master, Setting Disc), member removal tools, and specialty accessories (wear shoes, ball measure systems, oversize bushings). Custom solutions cover angled holes, STI/Helicoil threads, pipe threads (NPT), left-hand threads, and special coatings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard COMBI Gage The original Leitech thread depth gage with 0.5mm / 0.025 inch resolution and spring-loaded telescoping sleeve that simultaneously verifies functional thread size and reads depth numerically. Replaces entire sets of fixed-depth gages for production floor use. Starting at $434.
• Hi-Resolution COMBI Gage Precision thread depth gage with 0.1mm / 0.005 inch resolution and a locking device that freezes depth reading for confined-space measurements. NIST-traceable, calibrated to FED-STD-H28 for aerospace, medical, and defense applications. Starting at $638.
• Digi-COMBI Digital thread depth gage with 0.01mm / 0.0005 inch LCD readout, RS232 and wireless output for direct SPC integration. Toggles between metric and inch, eliminates parallax error and operator subjectivity. Starting at $1,233.
• DMG (Digital Motorized Gage) Power-driven thread depth gage with standardized motorized torque that delivers identical entry force on every measurement, eliminating operator feel and torque variability. Built for high-volume production lines and automated inspection environments. Pricing on request.
• Cylindrical COMBI Gage Applies the simultaneous size-and-depth measurement principle to reamed bores, drilled holes, and precision cylindrical features. Ideal for core holes, plain bores, and counterbores in hydraulic manifolds, pneumatic components, and fuel systems.
• Calibration Master Calibration tool for Standard and Hi-Res COMBI Gages. Dial in thread pitch and the correct calibration length sets automatically without calipers, gage blocks, or guesswork for NIST-traceable precision.
• Setting Disc Calibration tool for Digi-COMBI and DMG digital models, used with a dedicated calibration procedure to ensure accurate depth readings and battery management for stored calibration settings.
• Member Removal Sleeve Specialized extraction tool for safely removing worn Leitech thread members from the handle. Green for GO members, red for NoGo members. Enables renewable replacement while keeping the precision measurement handle in service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45% faster inspection - from 71 minutes to 39 minutes on V12 engine block with 99 threaded holes
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Leitech Instruments of DenmarkflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 1989Leitech Instruments founded by Leif Larsen in Gilleleje, Denmark invented the simultaneous thread size and depth gage. Leitech-US serves as exclusive authorized master distributor for US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico since 1989. Custom thread sizes and special applications handled through collaboration with Denmark engineering team. Currently led by Charlotte Jensen.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bowers Group (Bowman International): UK-based precision measurement specialist offering bore gauges and digital internal measurement. Closest peer to Leitech's Cylindrical COMBI product, targeting similar precision machining and metrology lab customers.
• Gagemaker: US-based specialist in thread and groove gaging for oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and API threads. Direct competitor to Leitech in precision thread measurement, particularly for energy and heavy equipment applications.
• Vermont Gage: US manufacturer of precision thread and fixed-limit gauges including Class X plug gages and thread rings. Overlaps with Leitech in thread measurement for precision manufacturing, particularly in medical device and aerospace supply chains.
• Mahr Inc. Manufacturer of precision dimensional metrology including thread gauges, plug gauges, bore gauges, and surface measurement. Directly competes with Leitech in industrial precision gauging with similar target customers in automotive and aerospace manufacturing.
• Thread Check Inc. Specialty thread gauge manufacturer and calibration provider offering plug gages, ring gages, and thread depth measurement. Most direct peer in terms of product category, serving the same automotive, aerospace, and industrial customer base.
• Renishaw plc: UK-based precision measurement and additive manufacturing company with a strong gauging probe and inspection product line. Competes with Leitech in high-precision in-process gauging used by aerospace, medical, and automotive manufacturers.
• Fowler / Sylvac: Fowler High Precision distributes Sylvac digital and mechanical measurement instruments in North America, including bore gauges, calipers, and depth gauges. Targets the same machinist and quality engineer buyer in precision manufacturing as Leitech.

Broad incumbents

• Mitutoyo Corporation: Global leader in precision measurement instruments including thread gauges, coordinate measuring machines, and optical comparators. Competes with Leitech across the broader metrology stack rather than in the specialized thread depth category, but addresses the same quality engineering buyers in automotive, aerospace, and medical.
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Division of Hexagon AB providing CMMs, portable metrology, and inline inspection systems. Operates broadly in the same industrial metrology space as Leitech but at a much larger scale and with non-contact/optical technology focus rather than threaded-hole depth gaging.
• Starrett (L.S. Starrett Company): Long-established US precision tool and metrology brand offering a wide portfolio of measurement instruments, gauges, and saw blades. Overlaps with Leitech in thread measurement but as part of a much broader industrial product portfolio rather than a category specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leitech Instrument