For more than a century, innovation has been at the heart of International Thermal Systems (ITS). While the company officially carries the ITS name today, its story began long before 2010 through four pioneering companies that helped shape the thermal processing and industrial washing industries.
Each company brought unique expertise, groundbreaking technology, and decades of engineering excellence. Together, they created the foundation for the ITS customers know today- a company built on experience, innovation, and a commitment to solving complex manufacturing challenges.
A Legacy Built One Company at a Time
The ITS story begins in 1926, when LTG Technologies was established in Germany. Focused on serving the metal packaging industry, LTG quickly earned a reputation for engineering high-performance thermal processing equipment. As the company expanded into the United States in 1990, it strengthened its engineering capabilities and grew into a global leader in metal packaging solutions.
In 1960, Continental Equipment Company (CEC) was founded as a family-owned business specializing in industrial washing systems. Its equipment became trusted by manufacturers across industries including food processing, dairy, automotive, aerospace, and metal preparation, delivering reliable cleaning solutions for demanding production environments.
Just two years later, in 1962, Oven Systems Incorporated (OSI) entered the market with a focus on the battery, industrial product, and metal packaging industries. Through innovative engineering and a growing portfolio of patents, OSI established itself as a premier supplier of thermal processing equipment recognized around the world.
The final piece of the foundation arrived in 1974 with the creation of Industrial Heat Enterprises International (IHEI). Specializing in thermal processing and cleaning systems, IHEI became a national leader by serving industries such as aerospace, automotive, heat transfer, converting, and small engine manufacturing.
Each company excelled in its own market, but together they would become something even greater.
Bringing Four Industry Leaders Together
Throughout the late 1990s, LTG expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions.
- 1998: LTG acquired IHEI, expanding into industrial cleaning solutions.
- 1999: LTG acquired OSI, strengthening its position in the battery and metal packaging industries.
These acquisitions combined decades of engineering knowledge, product innovation, and application expertise under one organization.
Then came one of the most significant milestones in company history.
In 2010, International Thermal Systems acquired LTG, IHEI, and OSI, bringing together nearly a century of experience into a single company. Two years later, ITS welcomed Continental Equipment Company, completing the family of brands that continues to define the organization today.
Rather than replacing these companies, ITS built upon their strengths- continuing their legacy while investing in new technologies, expanded engineering resources, and enhanced customer support.
Continuing to Grow
As manufacturing has evolved, so has ITS.
In 2022, the company relocated its Milwaukee operations to a larger, modern facility designed to support continued growth, innovation, and collaboration. The expanded space allows ITS to better serve customers while providing room for advanced engineering, manufacturing, and testing capabilities.
Today, ITS designs and manufactures thermal processing equipment and aqueous cleaning systems for customers around the world. From industrial ovens and furnaces to washers and custom-engineered solutions, the company continues to solve complex manufacturing challenges across industries including:
- Battery manufacturing
- Metal packaging
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Heat transfer
- Food processing
- Industrial products
- And many more
More Than 100 Years of Innovation
While equipment and technology have changed dramatically over the past century, the values behind ITS have remained remarkably consistent.
Innovation. Engineering excellence. Customer partnership. Continuous improvement.
Those principles have driven every milestone- from LTG’s founding in Germany nearly 100 years ago to the development of patented technologies, strategic acquisitions, expanded facilities, and countless customer success stories.
Perhaps the greatest achievement isn’t a single acquisition, patent, or building expansion- it’s the ability to continuously evolve while maintaining the trust of customers who depend on ITS equipment every day.
Looking Ahead
History provides the foundation, but it doesn’t define the future.
As manufacturing continues to advance through automation, sustainability initiatives, and increasingly complex production requirements, International Thermal Systems remains committed to developing innovative thermal processing and cleaning solutions that help customers stay ahead.
More than 100 years after the journey began, the mission remains the same: engineer reliable solutions, solve difficult manufacturing challenges, and build lasting partnerships that stand the test of time.
