Founded in October 1952 as a state institute, the SLV Mannheim moved into a spacious new building at the Neuer Meßplatz in 1976. After privatisation in 1978, the SLV is operated as a non-profit limited liability company and state-recognised joint institute of the City of Mannheim, the DVS - Deutscher Verband für Schweißen und verwandte Verfahren e. V. (German Welding Society) and the Fördergemeinschaft der SLV Mannheim e.V. (Association for the Promotion of the SLV Mannheim).

The SLV Mannheim currently employs around 45 full-time staff. In addition, teaching assignments are given to numerous lecturers from industry and universities. In addition to the training and further education activities, the SLV offers services in the area of

- Quality assurance with the certification of welding companies and monitoring of welding and corrosion protection work
- Material testing with welding procedure tests and damage assessments
- welding process technology with laser and electron beam welding.

Due to constant updates and investments in welding and testing equipment, the SLV Mannheim is equipped for almost all existing questions and teaching contents in the field of welding technology for metals and plastics. The services of the SLV Mannheim are recognised and in demand both at home and abroad.