The History of Metop
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through the decades
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From Plant Department to Global Leader
Metop’s story begins in one of Sweden’s oldest and most respected packaging facilities. In the 1970s, Plåt Manufaktur AB (PLM) was producing bottles, food cans, beverage cans, lids, and ends at scale. But as production volumes grew and quality standards became more demanding, PLM faced a challenge that many manufacturers were grappling with: how to quickly and accurately control the parameters of aluminum and steel packaging to ensure consistent quality.
Rather than rely on existing manual measurement tools that were slow and prone to human error, PLM made a bold decision. They established an internal equipment development department dedicated to creating better quality control solutions. This wasn’t just about improving their own production line, it was about rethinking how the entire industry approached metrology. That department was called Metop.
Even as part of PLM, the Metop team stayed ahead of the curve. Their breakthrough came when they developed the industry’s first computerized double seam control station, a revolutionary piece of technology that transformed quality assurance in can production. At a time when most facilities relied on manual inspection, Metop introduced precision, speed, and data-driven quality control.
The 70's
The Start of Metop
PLM (which later became Rexam and is now part of Ball Corporation) established the Metop equipment development department. Metop’s early work laid the groundwork for everything that would follow.
1985
The first VSM
The first Video Seam Computer (VSM) was born in Malmö, a groundbreaking achievement that brought visual inspection and computer analysis together for the first time in can metrology.
1987
Ingvar Joelsson founds metop
Ingvar Joelsson officially founded Metop AB as an independent company. This move allowed the team to focus entirely on developing cutting-edge quality control solutions and serving customers across the global packaging industry.
1998
the minidesk is born
The first version of what would become our world-renowned Minidesk was introduced. Designed to bring laboratory-grade precision to the production floor, the Minidesk combined ease of use with exceptional accuracy.
2007
SMM-8AF
The first auto focus in the world is created and builds the foundation to our high quality Can-End range
2014
New ownership
In 2014 Invar Joealsson retires and Anders Wanner became owner and CEO, bringing fresh perspectives while maintaining Metop’s commitment to quality and innovation. Under new leadership, the company began expanding its product portfolio and strengthening relationships with customers in emerging markets.
2018
jas +8200 topscore
Metop partnered with Versatile Technologies to create a fully automatic, non-contact microscope system. This collaboration opened new possibilities for high-speed production environments where traditional contact-based measurement would be impractical.
2019
MFM
The MFM brought professional-grade quality control to craft brewers and small-batch canners who couldn’t justify full production systems. This accessible solution democratized quality assurance for smaller operations.
2023
The X-ray
Non-destructive testing became reality, allowing manufacturers to perform comprehensive quality checks while preserving products for sale. The 730 X-ray represents the cutting edge of what’s possible in can metrology.
The History of Metop
The 1970s: The Foundation PLM (which later became Rexam and is now part of Ball Corporation) established the Metop equipment development department. During this era, the packaging industry was experiencing rapid growth, and manufacturers needed reliable ways to ensure their products met increasingly strict quality and safety standards. Metop’s early work laid the groundwork for everything that would follow.
1985: The Video Seam Computer The first Video Seam Computer (VSM) was born in Malmö, a groundbreaking achievement that brought visual inspection and computer analysis together for the first time in can metrology. This wasn’t just an incremental improvement; it represented a fundamental shift in how double seams could be analyzed. Instead of relying solely on destructive testing and manual measurements, manufacturers could now capture, analyze, and archive visual data of their seams. The VSM established Metop as an innovator in the field.
1987: Independence Ingvar Joelsson officially founded Metop AB as an independent company. This move allowed the team to focus entirely on developing cutting-edge metrology solutions and serving customers across the global packaging industry. No longer bound by the specific needs of a single production facility, Metop could now respond to the diverse challenges faced by beverage producers, food canners, and can manufacturers worldwide.
1998: The Minidesk Arrives The first version of what would become our world-renowned Minidesk was introduced. Designed to bring laboratory-grade precision to the production floor, the Minidesk combined ease of use with exceptional accuracy. It quickly became a favorite among quality control professionals who needed reliable measurements without lengthy setup times. Over the years, the Minidesk has been continuously refined, but the core philosophy, precision without compromise remains unchanged.
2007: Auto Focus Changes Everything Metop introduced the SMM-8AF, featuring the world’s first auto-focus technology for lid/end quality control. This innovation eliminated one of the most time-consuming aspects of end inspection: manual focusing. The auto-focus system ensured consistent, repeatable measurements while dramatically reducing operator workload. This technology became the foundation for our comprehensive Can-End range and reinforced Metop’s position as a technology leader in the industry.
2014: A New Chapter After nearly three decades at the helm, Ingvar Joelsson retired in 2014. Anders Wanner became the new owner and CEO, bringing fresh perspectives while maintaining Metop’s commitment to quality and innovation. Under new leadership, the company began expanding its product portfolio and strengthening relationships with customers in emerging markets.
2018: The Versatile Technologies Partnership In a major collaboration, Metop partnered with Versatile Technologies to create the JAS+8200 TopScore, a fully automatic, non-contact microscope system. This partnership combined Metop’s deep expertise in can inspection with Versatile’s advanced industry technology. The result was a system that could perform high-precision measurements, opening new possibilities for high-speed production environments where traditional contact-based measurement would be impractical.
2019: My First Metop (MFM) Recognizing the explosive growth in craft brewing and small-batch canning, Metop developed the MFM (My First Metop) system. This more accessible solution brought professional-grade quality control to smaller operations that couldn’t justify the investment in full production systems. The MFM democratized quality control, ensuring that craft brewers could deliver the same level of quality assurance as major manufacturers.
2023: Non-Destructive Testing Arrives The 730 X-ray system took center stage as Metop’s most advanced double seam control system to date. Non-destructive testing had long been the holy grail of quality control, the ability to inspect seams thoroughly without destroying the can. The 730 X-ray made this dream a reality, allowing manufacturers to perform comprehensive quality checks while preserving products for sale. This technology represents the cutting edge of what’s possible in can metrology.
Our Manufacturing Philosophy
From day one, Metop has believed in controlling quality at every level. While many equipment manufacturers outsource production or rely on third-party components, we take a different approach. We maintain in-house production capabilities for most of our systems, from raw materials through all milling cycles to final assembly.
This vertical integration isn’t just about control, it’s about understanding. When our engineers design a new component, they work directly with the machinists who will produce it. When a customer reports an issue, we know exactly how every part was made and can trace it back through our production records. Even the smallest components in our systems are manufactured under our watchful eye.
This attention to detail is particularly important in metrology equipment, where tolerances measured in microns can make the difference between accurate and unreliable measurements. By keeping production in-house, we ensure that every Metop system meets our exacting standards.
Serving the Global Packaging Industry
Today, Metop systems are used throughout the packaging supply chain. Our equipment serves three primary sectors:
- Beverage Industry: From craft breweries to major soft drink manufacturers, our systems ensure that every can is properly sealed to maintain carbonation, prevent contamination, and deliver products safely to consumers.
- Food Industry: Food safety is paramount, and our metrology equipment helps food canners verify that their seams meet the strict standards required to prevent spoilage and ensure shelf stability.
- Can & End Makers: For the manufacturers who produce the cans and ends themselves, our systems provide the quality control needed to ensure their products meet the demanding specifications of their customers.
We control the entire quality chain from A to Z, providing comprehensive solutions that give manufacturers complete confidence in their packaging integrity.
Looking Forward
As we move forward, Metop remains committed to the principles that guided those three young engineers in the 1980s: innovation, precision, and customer service. The packaging industry continues to evolve, new materials, new production speeds, new sustainability requirements and we evolve with it.
Our location in Malmö keeps us connected to Sweden’s rich tradition of engineering excellence while giving us access to global markets. We continue to invest in research and development, always asking how we can measure more accurately, faster, and with greater reliability.
From a development department in a Swedish packaging plant to a global leader in can metrology, Metop’s journey has been driven by a simple belief: that precise measurement is the foundation of quality, and quality is non-negotiable.
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