RENK and LABECO— TESTING THE FUTURE TOGETHER

2004
RENK LABECO Test Systems Corporation of Mooresville, Indiana, a wholly owned subsidiary of RENK Test System GmbH of Germany, emerges as the result of an organizational restructuring of RENK AG.

2000

Main Gearbox Test Stand for AH-64 A/D Apache Helicopter

RENK Corporation LABECO Division is formed when the RENK Corporation, a division of RENK AG of Germany, buys the test systems engineering section — designs, expertise, and trademark — of Laboratory Equipment Corporation. The new company brings together two well-regarded names in their respective industries: LABECO in test systems, and RENK in gears, gearboxes, and test systems. The purchase affords RENK an entry into the North American market for its high-quality products.

1990s

XT1410-4 Test Stand for M-88 Tank Transmission, made for Twin Disc, Inc.

LABECO expands its client base with custom-built, innovative test systems for the automotive, aerospace, and industrial market segments.

1980s
LABECO continues to develop innovative products to complement existing lines, such as

• Performance Monitor packages to support the Fifth Wheel device for vehicle testing
• The Direct Current Robot Driver which allows complete automatic operation of manual-transmission vehicles on a chassis dynamometer, enabling clutch, throttle, and shifting in real time from road recording, dynamometer recording, or computer programming
• The Remote Servo-Controlled Throttle Actuator System for engine test cell and chassis dynamometer applications.

Partnered with a sister company LABECO develops ultrasound equipment for medical treatments.

LABECO teams up with Paul Jacottet, France's leading manufacturer of electrohydraulic equipment, to produce electrohydraulic control systems.

1970s
LABECO develops its patented Velocity Lock System for chassis dynamometer control.

LABECO's Chassis Dynamometer Model 100-75P becomes the world's most widely used dynamometer system for mileage accumulation and EPA emissions testing.

LABECO introduces its high-speed gearboxes, along with high-speed gearbox test stands for the aviation and aerospace industries.

LABECO begins custom manufacture of component test equipment for various industries.

The hydraulically driven grape harvester is developed. LABECO eventually offers two versions: the Standard Mark II, and the Contour Mark II with up to 25% grade compensation. Fifty-one of the 52 grape harvesters built were sold to California vineyards, and one harvester was exported to the former Czechoslovakia.

1960s
LABECO's mileage accumulation chassis dynamometer is introduced.

LABECO acquires and begins production of the Fifth Wheel device for vehicle performance testing.

LABECO designs the innovative M-P-G Mobile Proving Ground, a chassis dynamometer on wheels for towing to the test site.

1950s
The Coordinated Lubrication Research (CLR) Test Engine for engine oil evaluation testing is introduced. Built in both spark and compression ignition configurations, the CLR Engine has been used worldwide since its arrival in the marketplace.

LABECO designs and manufactures its first dynamometer control system

Late 1940s
LABECO brings out its chassis dynamometers, among the first such dynamometers for automotive research. Since their introduction, LABECO chassis dynamometers have been used around the world by automobile and truck manufacturers, petroleum companies, and petroleum additives companies.

1943
Laboratory Equipment Corporation (LABECO) is founded by industrial engineer and race driver Lee Oldfield.

LABECO's first product is the 17.6 Engine for rating high-octane aviation fuels. Originally developed by Ethyl Corporation, the 17.6 Engine was used for researching aviation engine parts during World War II. This engine is still in use worldwide as the standard for rating spark plug heat ranges.

Former 156 East Harrison St at northwest
corner of Madison St, Mooresville, IN, housed
LABECO's administrative offices until acquisition
by RENK in 2000.