While ultrasonic flowmeters are used widely in the United States and in Europe, there is a difference in style between the US companies and the European companies. Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters have historically been more successful in the United States than spoolpiece meters. Controlotron, located in Hauppauge, New York, was the first company to introduce clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters for commercial applications in 1972. Spoolpiece meters have historically received better acceptance in Europe than in the US, and European suppliers such as Krohne are emphasizing spoolpiece meters in their research and development efforts. Siemens' introduction of their Sitrans F spoolpiece meter at the 1997 Achema show is very much in the European tradition.
Japanese suppliers dominate the Asian market for ultrasonic flowmeters.
Tokimec of Japan was the first company to introduce transit time ultrasonic flowmeters for commercial applications in 1963. Tokimec is still a major supplier to the ultrasonic flowmeter market in Japan. Revenues from sales of ultrasonic flowmeters in Japan represent about 14 percent of total worldwide sales. A Look Ahead Ultrasonic flowmeters have become the fastest growing flowmeter, outpacing even the rapid growth rate of Coriolis mass flowmeters. This growth rate is expected to increase even further as more users become familiar with the advantages of ultrasonic flowmeters.