Sommer Messtechnik
Sommer Messtechnik is an Austrian manufacturer of non-contact radar and ultrasonic sensors for environmental monitoring, serving hydrographic services, avalanche warning networks, wastewater utilities, hydropower operators, and research institutions with integrated hardware, telemetry, and proprietary data management software.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersAltlengbach, Austria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sommer Messtechnik does
Sommer Messtechnik GmbH is an Austrian private limited company founded in 1987 and headquartered in Koblach, Austria, that designs and manufactures non-contact measurement sensors and systems for environmental monitoring. Its portfolio spans radar-based open-channel flow meters (RQ-30 family and the SQ series for wastewater), ultrasonic level and snow-depth sensors (RL-15/35, USH-8/9), the multi-parameter Snow Pack Analyser SPA-2, automatic weather stations, snow-load scales for flat roofs, brine density meters, and geotechnical instruments (fissurometer, extensometer, geophone), supported by an in-house data acquisition and telemetry stack (MRL/MDL data loggers, GSM/radio modules) and proprietary software (ComWin, DataWin, MetWin, MetWin.net, MessDatenServer). The company's underlying technology relies on 80 GHz radar, Doppler-radar velocity measurement, ultrasonic ranging, and complex-impedance flat-band sensing, with velocity measurement independently certified by METAS in 2015 and proprietary hydraulic models used to convert level-plus-velocity readings into discharge.
The company monetizes primarily through direct hardware sales from its Austrian headquarters and a network of regional distributors, supplemented by equipment rental, professional measurement services, and customer training, all under a quote-based, multi-year contract model accessed via the MySOMMER partner portal. Its customer base is vertical-segmented across hydrology (hydrographic services, flood warning), meteorology/avalanche warning (LWD networks, ski resorts), wastewater and industrial water (sewage treatment plants, hydropower intakes), snow load on roofs (building managers), geology/mining (quarry warning systems), and research (e.g., the Universidad de Alcalá Antarctic permafrost program at Gabriel de Castilla Base). Sommer also distributes Xylem's SonTek acoustic Doppler products and works with German sales partner ecoTech Umwelt-Meßsysteme, exhibiting at Wasser Berlin, IFAT Munich, Acqua Alta, and the Western Snow Conference. The company is privately held, with no disclosed venture or private equity backing, operates with 11-50 employees, and has received the Global Hydrometeorological Excellence Award.
Sommer Messtechnik firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sommer Messtechnik
- Legal name
- Sommer Messtechnik GmbH
- Website
- https://sommer.at
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sommer Messtechnik is an Austrian manufacturer of non-contact radar and ultrasonic sensors for environmental monitoring, serving hydrographic services, avalanche warning networks, wastewater utilities, hydropower operators, and research institutions with integrated hardware, telemetry, and proprietary data management software.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sommer Messtechnik industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Monitoring Sensors
- NAICS
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Real-Time Monitoring & Smart Stormwater (Sensors, SCADA/IoT, RTC) (EUANAEAK)
Keywords
Where Sommer Messtechnik is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Altlengbach
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sommer Messtechnik business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of measurement sensors and instruments including water flow sensors, snow measurement systems, weather stations, geotechnical sensors, and data loggers. Products are sold directly and through distribution partners.
- Equipment Rental: Short-term rental of measurement equipment for project-based or seasonal monitoring needs. Part of the service portfolio to support customers with flexible deployment options.
- Measurement Services: Professional measurement services for specialized monitoring applications including hydrological surveys, flood monitoring setup, and infrastructure protection installations.
- Training Services: Training programs and workshops for customers on proper use of measurement equipment and interpretation of data. Information distributed via newsletter.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom pricing based on product configuration and volume |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sommer Messtechnik product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sommer Messtechnik designs, develops, manufactures, and sells non-contact radar and ultrasonic measurement sensors for hydrology, meteorology, snow/ice monitoring, wastewater, and geotechnical applications. The portfolio includes radar flow sensors (RQ-30 series), radar velocity sensors (RG-30), radar level sensors (RL-15/RL-35), open channel flow meters (SQ-series, PQ), tracer systems (TQ-S, TQ-F), snow depth sensors (USH-8/9), snow scales (SSG/SSR), ice detectors, automatic weather stations, data loggers, and supporting software (ComWin, DataWin, MetWin). The company also offers measurement services, equipment rental, and training.
Product overview
Sommer Messtechnik is a measurement technology company specializing in environmental monitoring systems. The product portfolio consists of multiple sensor categories that work together as integrated measurement solutions: Water/Hydrology sensors (RQ-30 radar series, RG-30 velocity radar, RL-15/35 level sensors, tracer systems, ADCP boats, FlowTracker, SonTek IQ series and Argonaut SL), Snow & Ice monitoring equipment (USH-8/9 ultrasonic snow depth sensors, Snow Pack Analyser SPA-2 for multi-parameter snow measurement, SSG/SSG-2 snow scales, ice detection sensors IDS-10/20, Snow Melt Analyser SMA, temperature profiling systems), Wind & Weather stations (AWS automatic weather stations, wind sensors, temperature/humidity probes, barometric sensors, precipitation gauges, radiation sensors), Sewage & Industrial flow meters (SQ-series non-contact radar/ultrasonic flow meters, PQ ultrasonic flow meters, TQ-F fluorescence tracers), Geotechnical instruments (fissurometers, extensometers, geophones), Data & Telemetry systems (MRL-6/7 and MDL data loggers, radio modules DFM 433, communication modules DCM 862, GSM modems GM 862, and software platforms ComWin, DataWin, MetWin, MetWin.net), Snow Load on Roofs measurement (SSR/SSR-2 snow scales, LME laser measurement units), and Densimetry (DP-20 density measurement device). The company also provides service offerings including measurement services, equipment rental, and training programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MySOMMER: Customer portal for data access and management
- ComWin
- DataWin
- MetWin
Products and services
- RQ-30 Series Radar Flow Sensors Non-contact radar-based flow sensors for continuous surface water flow measurement in open channels, rivers, and streams. The RQ-30 / RQ-30a / RQ-30 kompakt / RQ-30d / RQ-30L variants cover different installation, hydraulic, and environmental conditions. Used by hydrographic services, hydrologists, and water management authorities.
- RP-30 V2 Radar Profiler Non-contact radar profiler for surface velocity and level measurement, used as the basis for discharge computation in open channels.
- RG-30 / RG-30a Velocity Radar Non-contact surface velocity radar with METAS-certified accuracy, used for hydrometric stations and as a reference for flow measurement.
- RL-15 / RL-35 Radar Level Sensors Non-contact radar level sensors for water level measurement in rivers, channels, shafts, and reservoirs.
- SQ-Series (SQ-3, SQ-6, SQ-15) Open Channel Flow Meters Open channel flow meters for small to mid-sized channels (3, 6, and 15 liter/s variants), typically for wastewater and industrial effluent monitoring.
- PQ Open Channel Flow Meter Open channel flow meter for larger wastewater and process water applications, providing continuous flow measurement with non-contact sensors.
- Tracer Systems TQ-S and TQ-F Salt tracer (TQ-S) and fluorescence tracer (TQ-F) systems for discharge measurement in difficult hydraulic conditions where radar or level-based methods are not feasible. Includes an industrial TQ-F variant.
- Data Loggers (MRL-6, MRL-7, MDL 4/1, MDL 8/3) Multi-channel data loggers for acquiring, storing, and transmitting measurement data from connected Sommer sensors and third-party instruments.
- Wireless Communication Modules (DFM 433, DCM 862, GM 862) Radio (DFM 433) and GSM/GPRS (DCM 862, GM 862) modules for remote wireless transmission of measurement data from field stations.
- USH-8 / USH-9 Ultrasonic Snow Depth Sensors Non-contact ultrasonic snow depth sensors for continuous snow depth measurement in alpine environments, used by avalanche warning services and mountain road authorities.
- SPA-2 Snow Pack Analyser Combined snow depth, weight, and temperature analyser that continuously determines snow water equivalent and snow pack state.
- SSG / SSG-2 / SSR / SSR-2 Snow Scales Ground-level (SSG) and roof-mounted (SSR) snow load scales for continuous measurement of snow weight on roofs, structures, or ground reference areas.
- IDS-10 / IDS-20 Ice Detection Sensors Ice detection sensors for identifying ice formation on roads, structures, and surfaces, used by road authorities and safety services.
- SMA Snow Melt Analyser Analyser for continuous measurement of snow melt rate and liquid water output from the snow pack.
- SIR Snow Surface Temperature Sensor and SCA Snow Temperature Profile Sensor Sensors for continuous snow surface temperature (SIR) and snow temperature profile (SCA) measurement in alpine stations.
- SGE-20 Snow Glide Sensor and Pt100 Snow Temperature Sensor Sensor for continuous measurement of snow glide along the slope (SGE-20) combined with Pt100 snow temperature measurement for avalanche risk assessment.
- Automatic Weather Station (AWS) Integrated automatic weather station combining wind, air temperature/humidity, air pressure (PTB110), precipitation, and global radiation sensors for complete meteorological monitoring.
- Meteorological Sensors (Wind, Air Temperature/Humidity, PTB110 Air Pressure, Precipitation, Radiation) Standalone meteorological sensors for wind, air temperature/humidity, air pressure (PTB110), precipitation, and global radiation, used as components of weather stations or hydrometeorological stations.
- Geotechnical Sensors (Geophone, Fissurometer, Extensometer) Geophone, fissuremeter, and extensometer sensors for continuous ground vibration, fissure, and deformation monitoring in mining, quarrying, and construction sites.
- LME-D10 / LME-D30 Laser Measurement Sensors Non-contact laser distance sensors for high-accuracy level and displacement measurement in shafts, tanks, and geotechnical applications.
- DP-20 Densimeter Sensor for continuous density measurement of liquids and suspensions, used in process and environmental monitoring.
- IQ-Serie, ADCP-Boot, FlowTracker, Argonaut SL, Pegeldatenlogger PD-3/PD-4/PD-5 Specialized hydrological instruments including the IQ series, ADCP-Boot, FlowTracker, Argonaut SL, and Pegeldatenlogger PD-3/PD-4/PD-5 water level data loggers for advanced or portable discharge and level measurement.
- SomComWin / ComWin / DataWin / MetWin / MetWin.net Software Proprietary software suite for data acquisition, visualization, station configuration, and management of Sommer Messtechnik sensors and data loggers, with MetWin.net providing network-attached operation.
- MDS Measurement Data Server Central measurement data server for aggregating, storing, and distributing data from networked Sommer monitoring stations.
- Measurement Services Operator-led field measurement services in which Sommer Messtechnik deploys its own instruments and personnel to perform hydrological, meteorological, snow, or environmental measurements on behalf of customers.
- Equipment Rental Rental of Sommer Messtechnik instruments (sensors, data loggers, stations) for short-term campaigns or temporary monitoring needs.
- Training Services Training programs for customers and partners covering installation, operation, and data handling of Sommer Messtechnik systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- High data availability even with intensive turbidity and high solids content in wastewater
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sommer Messtechnik
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Sommer Messtechnik technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Sommer Messtechnik partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ecoTech Umwelt-Meßsysteme GmbHcoreGerman sales partner representing Sommer Messtechnik at trade shows and exhibitions in Germany. EcoTech supports German market customers and participates in events such as Wasser Berlin International alongside Sommer staff.
- SonTek (Xylem brand)coreTechnology partnership for acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) and related products. SonTek products including M9, RS5, and IQ-Serie are distributed through Sommer. Also includes FlowTracker and Argonaut SL products.
- METAS (Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology)coreIndependent certification of SQ velocity sensor by METAS in 2015, providing independent verification of measurement accuracy and reliability of Sommer's non-contact flow measurement technology.
- Xylem Inc.coreXylem brand SonTek products are distributed through Sommer. Additionally, Xylem's SurfBee USV (unmanned surface vehicle) product is promoted through Sommer for mobile water measurement applications.
- Universidad de AlcaláminorResearch partnership for Antarctic deployment. University team led by Miguel Ángel de Pablo uses Sommer snow measurement sensors at Gabriel de Castilla Base for climate change and permafrost research.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sommer Messtechnik competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vaisala: Finnish global leader in environmental and industrial measurement, particularly weather, road, and hydrometeorology sensors. Overlaps with Sommer's AWS weather stations, precipitation, and snow measurement offerings to the same government customers.
- Aanderaa Data Instruments: Norwegian oceanographic and hydrological instrumentation supplier (now part of Aanderaa–Xylem alliance). Overlaps in water-level, current profiling, and meteorological sensors for research and government customers.
- OTT Hydromet: German-based hydrology and meteorology instrumentation manufacturer offering water level, discharge, and weather sensors. Directly competes with Sommer in river/open-channel flow measurement and snow/weather monitoring for government hydrographic services.
- SEBA Hydrometrie: German specialist in hydrometric and water-quality measurement systems serving hydrographic services, water utilities, and research. Directly comparable product portfolio (water level, discharge, data loggers, telemetry).
- Campbell Scientific: US-based maker of data loggers and environmental measurement systems for hydrology, meteorology, and geotechnical applications. Competes with Sommer's data acquisition / telemetry stack and integrates with similar sensor ecosystems.
Broad incumbents
- Hach (Danaher): Global water-quality and flow measurement brand under Danaher. Competes with Sommer's SQ series in wastewater flow measurement for municipal and industrial treatment plants, with much broader commercial reach.
- Endress+Hauser: Global industrial measurement and automation leader with a broad flow, level, and analytical instrument portfolio. Overlaps with Sommer in wastewater and industrial-water flow measurement, especially with their non-contact radar offerings, though they serve a much wider customer base.
- SonTek (Xylem): Xylem-owned acoustic Doppler current profiler brand whose products Sommer distributes. Competes in open-channel discharge measurement (ADCP, FlowTracker) but through a much larger commercial channel.
Regional players
- Impress Sensors & Systems: European-level niche manufacturer of pressure, level, and flow sensors for water/wastewater markets. Comparable in scale and product focus to Sommer in DACH, though with less specialization in non-contact radar.
Emerging players
- KISTERS: German/Australian provider of hydrology data management software and sensor integrations. Adjacent competitor in the environmental-monitoring stack, overlapping with Sommer's MetWin/ComWin software and telemetry.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sommer Messtechnik social profiles
Digital presenceSommer Messtechnik financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sommer Messtechnik leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Sommer Messtechnik funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sommer Messtechnik M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sommer Messtechnik
What does Sommer Messtechnik do?
Sommer Messtechnik designs, develops, manufactures, and sells non-contact radar and ultrasonic measurement sensors for hydrology, meteorology, snow/ice monitoring, wastewater, and geotechnical applications. The portfolio includes radar flow sensors (RQ-30 series), radar velocity sensors (RG-30), radar level sensors (RL-15/RL-35), open channel flow meters (SQ-series, PQ), tracer systems (TQ-S, TQ-F), snow depth sensors (USH-8/9), snow scales (SSG/SSR), ice detectors, automatic weather stations, data loggers, and supporting software (ComWin, DataWin, MetWin). The company also offers measurement services, equipment rental, and training.
Is Sommer Messtechnik a public or private company?
Sommer Messtechnik is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Sommer Messtechnik founded?
Sommer Messtechnik was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sommer Messtechnik based?
Sommer Messtechnik is headquartered in Altlengbach, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Sommer Messtechnik make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are equipment Rental, measurement Services and training Services.
Who are Sommer Messtechnik's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vaisala, Aanderaa Data Instruments, OTT Hydromet, SEBA Hydrometrie and Campbell Scientific. Broad incumbents are Hach (Danaher), Endress+Hauser and SonTek (Xylem). Impress Sensors & Systems is listed as a regional player. KISTERS is listed as an emerging player.
Does Sommer Messtechnik have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sommer Messtechnik.
What industry is Sommer Messtechnik in?
Sommer Messtechnik's product category is Environmental Monitoring Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANAEAK, Real-Time Monitoring & Smart Stormwater (Sensors, SCADA/IoT, RTC). Its NAICS code is 334519 and its SIC code is 3823.