Why Wagner Meters?

Buying a Wagner Meters tool is far more than a sales transaction. It’s just one piece of a relationship dedicated to helping you and your business excel. The Wagner Meters mission is to equip the industry with the tools and education they need to manage moisture issues. To do that, we work hard at building strong relationships that stretch far before and after any sale.

So, what can you expect when you connect with Wagner Meters? Helpful educational resources that are written by our hands-on experts, answers to questions you have with one simple phone call, and proven quality moisture management tools to help protect you and your business.

Through daily discussions with people in the skilled trades, the Wagner team pays close attention to their challenges. We hear about the difficulties people in the field face when taking on moisture issues. We answer the questions tradespeople have about moisture management. It doesn’t matter if the moisture question isn’t about how to use a Wagner product. It doesn’t matter whether or not the person asking is a Wagner customer.

Read about how our inspired approach to customer service and industry education looks in practice.

When you discover the history behind how we’ve developed some of the most reliable and trusted moisture management tools in the market, you’ll see the critical role our company culture has played each step of the way. A culture of service and support that extends to anyone concerned about whether moisture is going to mess up their work.

Our Daily Commitment to Customer Service

So every day we listen. Now, it’s mostly on the phone. (We look forward to seeing people again at the trade shows and industry organization meetings.) Customers and non-customers regularly call into Wagner Meters. When they do, they talk with a knowledgeable person willing to help. Some people send emails and they often get a call back from us. Either way, they’re talking to a person who listens to their situation.

Jason Spangler, our Flooring Sales Manager, explains, “We try to understand what it is that someone who calls in does. It’s not about selling them the most expensive meter in the line. It’s about the right fit for them. But we can only know that by listening and figuring out what they really need. Then we can give them options to make their decision.”

If they choose a Wagner meter, we often direct them to our local distributor partner nearest them. Buying a Wagner meter isn’t a transaction to us. It’s the start of a broader conversation. We want them to have close access to in-person training and support.

They can always call us too. Our team often talks to customers who have questions about how to best use their Wagner Meters tools. Usually, we can help them outright over the phone. Sometimes we’ll send someone out to a job site or in-line meter installation.

A lot of people aren’t even calling with a question about meters. Instead, they have a question about moisture, concrete, or flooring. These calls get the same close attention. Consultative calls are an extension of Wagner Meters’ mission to help skilled tradespeople excel at their jobs. We also publish a lot of educational materials on moisture management.

Our customer service approach mirrors our internal company culture: Give people the information, tools, and support they need to succeed and then let them get to it.

A Mission of Innovation and Excellence

From its start, Wagner Meters has been an innovation leader in moisture measurement.

Nice words, but they don’t tell the whole story. Innovation doesn’t just happen, and decades of excellence and innovation at Wagner Meters have not occurred by accident.

One of the best things about listening is how much we learn from our customers and others in the industry. We hear their concerns about moisture and their thoughts about how they manage their businesses and their reputations. They also give us constructive feedback on our current products. They do this because they trust that we will listen. They also trust that we’re going to give their opinions serious consideration.

Our engineering and product development teams use what we learn through all these conversations. This influences new functionality, physical design updates, and even the creation of a new product.

We developed the DataMaster™ because we kept hearing how tired people were of tracking test results on random bits of paper. It was a physical device when it was first introduced. With the DataMaster, they could create an unassailable digital record of readings. They loved the data integrity but weren’t crazy about its feel, and they let us know. They were used to their phones and tablets. So, the DataMaster evolved from a handheld device that users purchased to a free app they could download to any mobile device. New data management functions came with this evolution, like being able to upload results to the cloud with just a swipe.

The feedback loop that cycles through our customers to product development plays out across all the Wagner product lines. The same is true for our rigorous testing of each new development. We aren’t interested in “getting to market first.” We’re interested in product excellence. Then we’ll bring it to the market.

We define product excellence as accuracy, reliability, durability, and ease of use.

That’s how Delmer Wagner started Wagner Meters—focusing on technical innovation, product excellence, and customer service. Without all three, Wagner Meters wouldn’t be the company it is today.

The Early History of Wagner Innovation

Founder Delmer Wagner built his first moisture detector while working at a sawmill. His model was more compact and reliable—and cost less to manufacture. He began Wagner Electronics in 1965 with his second-generation in-line moisture detector. Wagner did more than design a more effective moisture detector. He revolutionized how mills could use them to improve kiln operations.

Wagner Meters continues to produce a steady stream of innovative products. We achieve this by listening to people in the industry and using the most advanced technologies. The result is a collection of durable moisture measurement products with industry-leading accuracy.

When Delmer’s son, Ed Wagner, joined the company, he listened to the frustrations from sawmills. The pin-style moisture meters were too sensitive to temperature. They couldn’t measure moisture deep in the wood. In 1981, he designed a handheld, pinless moisture meter that addressed these frustrations and more.

We also heard from wood flooring installers. They were unhappy using pin-style meters that defaced the moisture in hardwood leaving unsightly pinholes. Our team responded by developing a new line of pinless moisture meters in the 1990s. Flooring installers could now use a handheld moisture meter that provided accurate moisture readings and protected their work.

The flooring installers also let us know about another ever-present challenge. They found they were often installing wood flooring over concrete that wasn’t dry. Their floors were getting ruined as the wood absorbed moisture from the concrete.
In response, our Wagner Meters team went on a multi-year quest, investigating the advancing science behind measuring moisture in concrete. Eventually, we teamed up with the CTLGroup to develop an in-situ, relative humidity test for concrete. It’s a depth-specific moisture test that’s far more accurate and reliable than the commonly used surface moisture tests. Our first Rapid RH® test kits for measuring concrete moisture were sold in 2005.

All three product lines—forest products, concrete, and wood flooring—continue to advance, innovate, and win awards. The product lines have expanded to include valuable accessories, including digital reporting and data collection tools, and other products that make the moisture management process easier and more effective.

Delmer designed that first compact, in-line moisture detector decades ago. Today, Wagner Meters continues to produce award-winning products. Our success and longevity are due to company values that inspire innovation—a strong work ethic, a commitment to listening to customers, and an emphasis on designing and manufacturing the highest-quality tools.

Why buy a Rapid RH Concrete Moisture Test Kit?

Wagner Meters broke new ground when we entered the world of concrete moisture measurement. Literally. Most other concrete moisture test methods only measured surface moisture. The tools available for measuring the concrete’s moisture condition below the surface were large and expensive.

The Rapid RH® system made in-situ relative humidity (RH) testing accessible to the typical flooring contractor. Our engineers took a radical approach to the design. They encased the sensor and display together into a small, single-use unit. Flooring contractors could install and leave the small, self-contained, factory-calibrated sensor in the concrete floor slab. The single-use sensors didn’t need to be sent back to the manufacturer for recalibration. Plus flooring contractors could return as many times as needed to take new readings while tracking the drying process.

These innovations earned the first system, the Rapid RH 4.0, the World of Concrete’s (WOC) Most Innovative Product award in 2006. As revolutionary as that first Rapid RH sensor design was, the drive to develop new technologies and innovations did not stop there.

With our in-situ RH sensors now in the hands of contractors, their real-world feedback guided further innovations. First, our engineers developed Touch-n-Sense™ technology to make reading the sensors faster and easier. Later the engineering team designed the Rapid RH 5.0 Smart Sensor, which we introduced in 2015 in response to calls for a reusable RH sensor.

Our goal at the time was much larger than bringing a reusable sensor to market. A reusable RH test kit from Wagner Meters had to improve on the experience. So our engineering department designed the EasyCare CalCheck® calibration check chamber. This unique device solved one of the major challenges of reusable sensors—complying quickly and easily with ASTM F2170’s requirement that every sensor be checked for calibration no more than 30 days before use.

Manufacturing the concrete moisture test with industry-leading accuracy was one achievement. Another was developing an entire system of tools that made managing test data easy. The Rapid RH sensors, the free DataMaster app, and a Wagner-designed reader that transmits data wirelessly to one’s mobile device work together as an integrated system for quickly collecting and reporting concrete moisture data.

In 2019, our team took valuable feedback from our customers a step further with the introduction of the Rapid RH L6 system. The L6 sensors extended the range of unparalleled accuracy up to 100% RH. Each L6 sensor also has an onboard memory chip that holds up to 512 time-stamped readings. Readings are sent to the DataMaster L6 app, which has enhanced data integrity and security. The Rapid RH L6 system is built to provide contractors and inspectors with the most complete set of concrete moisture data management tools on the market.

Easy, Accurate, and Digital

The Rapid RH system has been the industry’s most popular concrete moisture test for over a decade. From the start, it stood out for its accuracy and ease-of-use. Our goal has always been to continue making the RH testing process faster, easier, and more cost-effective.

The simple installation process lets contractors quickly embed all the Rapid RH sensors needed. An enhanced Total Reader® works with the DataMaster L6 to speed up and secure data collection. The simplicity of the Rapid RH system builds confidence. Confidence that contractors have complete and accurate data when making flooring decisions. Confidence that they’re conducting RH tests in compliance with ASTM F2170. Confidence that they have documented, time-stamped, unalterable readings to provide other stakeholders.

Most moisture-related flooring failures occur months after installation. It’s critical to conduct RH testing as it’s the only test that can predict what a slab’s moisture condition will be after the flooring is installed. Having accurate RH data enables contractors to make smart decisions before flooring gets installed. Having secure, trackable data helps protect contractors in case a flooring failure occurs.

The Rapid RH system is a complete solution that helps flooring contractors excel in their craft and protect their business.

Why Buy a Non-Damaging Pinless Moisture Meter from Wagner?

The Wagner Meters Orion® line of non-damaging pinless wood moisture meters was nearly 40 years in the making. All Orion meter models are flush with features that make life easier for anyone who works with wood. The original Wagner wood moisture meter stood out for three features—namely that it was an accurate, handheld, pinless moisture meter. The evolution of Wagner pinless moisture meters since then builds on that foundation. Providing industry-leading accuracy paired with a growing selection of the functions customers wanted.

The L600 was Wagner’s first handheld, pinless meter. It provided sawmills with options for measuring moisture in their lumber. A handheld moisture meter costs less than the inline models. It also provided more flexibility when and where they measured the moisture content (MC) of their lumber.

In the 1990s, our engineers expanded the line to address specific needs. Woodworkers had models designed for how they worked. A new stack probe attachment was introduced to help everyone who has to measure stacks of lumber. Then, the MMC/BI lines replaced this first line of pinless meters. The MMC/BI meters used digital technology and operated with microprocessors. This technology offered clear advantages over the earlier analog meters.

Early on, the industry had concerns about whether a pinless meter was as accurate as a pin-style meter. This led us to commission a collection of independent tests to find out. In all the third-party tests, the moisture readings of Wagner’s pinless meters were more accurate than the pin-style meters.

Besides giving more accurate readings, the MMC/BI moisture meters were also easier to use. These meters were smaller due to the microprocessor technology. This made them easier to handle. They included other features that improved usability. The “press to hold reading” function allowed users to take a reading with one hand.

Free Download – 5 Ways Pinless Moisture Meters Save You Time and Money

Our engineers added usability functions like these in response to what they were hearing from the workers in the industry. These enhancements became core features. As our Wagner team continues to consult with customers, we learn about new challenges. Today’s result is the Orion® line of moisture meters, including the award-winning, top-of-the-line Orion 950.

Orion® Moisture Meters – a Model for Every Need

The Orion line of pinless wood moisture meters builds on the successful feature set of the MMC models. Here are two of the extra features that all Orion meters have:

A programmable alarm alerts users when a high MC% is detected. Instead of having to check each measurement, workers can swiftly move from board to board. They only need to check the moisture meter when the alarm sounds. An Orion® meter keeps users moving, making it easy to gather a high volume of readings.

Users can recalibrate their Orion meter themselves. They are the only wood moisture meters that don’t need to be sent back to the manufacturer for recalibration.

The Wagner engineers designed all Orion meters with additional features that make them the easiest, fastest, and most accurate meters on the market.

Yet, each model also has specific features to suit different woodworkers.

We designed the award-winning Orion® 950 for professional wood flooring installers. It has an extensive set of data collection and management tools, including Bluetooth-enabled data delivery to the FloorSmart™ or Woodshop MC app. The Orion 950 also performs advanced functions, such as calculating the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) for an area.

Some flooring installers and building inspectors may not have extensive data management needs. They might prefer one of the Orion models that stores a large volume of data on the meter itself. Craftsmen and luthiers who work on delicate projects may prefer the Orion 920, which is engineered for shallow-depth measurements and doesn’t have the deep-depth measuring capabilities that the other Orion models have.

The point is: there’s an Orion model for every need. Our product development team didn’t leave anyone out. There’s an Orion wood moisture meter for everyone from the hobbyist to the flooring business owner.

Why Buy an Omega In-Line System and Other Forest Products

The design of Delmer Wagner’s first in-line moisture measurement system was revolutionary. Its smaller size and increased accuracy improved the drying process. Today’s Omega In-Line Moisture Measurement System continues the progress in both areas.

Wagner’s original in-line system was more useful than previous systems for two reasons. First, it didn’t make contact with the lumber to measure it, keeping sensors from wearing out and causing problems with the lumber processing process. Also, the Wagner in-line system could provide a calibrated moisture content percentage. Older systems could only provide a relative measurement.

The present Omega In-Line System uses digital technology that further improves accuracy and data management. Digital readings are accurate across a broader MC% range. The increased speed of the digital system allows the Omega to take around 500 readings per second. Each board gets measured, providing a thorough assessment of a lumber stack.

Sawmills and wood product manufacturers can also get detailed moisture data analysis. Omega’s optional data collection and analysis software helps improve moisture quality control. Whether it’s a specific supplier or a cold spot in a kiln, the Omega analysis software can pinpoint a problem source.

What sets the Omega apart is the ongoing training and support that our team provides customers. When a new customer is installing the Omega system, a Wagner technician is there to train local staff on how to use it. When a customer assigns someone new to manage their Omega system, the worker can call us for remote training and troubleshooting.

Customers can always reach a Wagner technician, but our support team doesn’t sit back and wait for a call. Senior technicians regularly call all Omega customers to check-in with them. They help customers sort out why Omega readings may differ from a handheld meter check. They can help the customer calibrate the system to handle a new product. In-line moisture management systems can be complicated—especially when a change is made. Our team is always available to make sure customers get full value from their Omega system.

Wagner’s In-Kiln and Handheld Forest Products

Our customer support team takes the same hands-on approach with our in-kiln moisture measurement system, the MC4000. Wagner Meters has been manufacturing in-kiln systems since the 1970s. New models build on the proven technologies of earlier systems with new enhancements.

Compartmentalized durability is a mainstay feature. If one kiln component stops operating, it won’t affect the rest of the system. Our engineering team designed the newest model, the MC4000 with redundant reliability.

Users manage MC4000 operations through its software. The MC4000 software also gives customers detailed visibility into each sensing zone in real-time. Graphic trend lines simplify kiln operations analysis. The MC4000 application can run alone or integrate with the kiln control system. In either case, our support team provides ongoing training and support to solve any issue.

We also offer peripheral tools that make moisture management easier. First up is a range of handheld pinless moisture meters designed for use in the rough conditions of a sawmill or factory. A stack probe attachment lets workers measure deep into a stack. No need to move any lumber.

One of our newest moisture management products is the Smart Logger™. The Smart Logger is a small, Bluetooth-enabled device that captures temperature and humidity data. This small, portable device can hold up to 12,000 data points for nearly a year. The Smart Logger’s data tracking lets users identify when ambient conditions have changed. That’s mighty helpful if a moisture-related problem comes up. The Smart Logger can’t reveal what happened, but it can tell when something happened.
The Smart Logger is the latest evidence of the Wagner commitment to producing tools that empower users with information.

Why Wagner Meters

Wagner Meters built its longevity on a foundation of innovation, top-quality products, and unrivaled customer support. When you buy a Wagner product, you get all three.

Part of our history of innovation is designing moisture measurement tools with industry-leading accuracy. Innovation also shows up in the selection of new features and data management tools that Wagner rolls out regularly. Our engineers relish the challenge of incorporating new functions requested by the trade.

The drive to produce durable, advanced moisture management tools comes from our team’s drive to serve our customers. Wagner Meters’ culture always puts customers first. Our team members talk with customers every day—answering their questions about how to use a product or how to solve almost any moisture-related issue.

Ongoing education and support are as important as designing and manufacturing top-quality tools. Specific tools may change over the years. But for Wagner Meters, providing excellent customer service will always remain one of our core objectives.