Our Story
Airflow developments have a rich history of innovation and growth and to this day have made many products that are unique and efficient.
In 1955, from one man's expertise in the fields of fan design and air flow measurement, the Airflow Developments group of companies was founded. Initially based in one factory in High Wycombe the company has since blossomed into a thriving international group.
With the search for new opportunities, the Company's ongoing expansion was strengthened by opening subsidiaries in Germany and the Czech Republic, supported by a worldwide sales distribution network.
Our story begins more than 60 years ago with one man's dream.
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Airflow is Founded
Our founder, Alexander Conner Wilson established Airflow Developments in the garage of his home in High Wycombe. He was a fan engineer by trade and had an idea to develop a measuring instrument to help him in his fan testing work. Him and his wife Nancy, started the company and invented the first inclined manometer (a pressure measuring device) to go into commercial production.
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Airflow's New Factory
From starting Airflow in the garage of Wilsons home, a factory on the Cressex Industrial Estate in High Wycombe was opened. The original wooden device, which measured positive, negative and differential pressure, was the forerunner of a range of air flow measuring instruments for HVAC applications which are still sold around the world. Industrial centrifugal fans and blowers were introduced into the manufacturing process too and are also still sold to original equipment manufacturers for ventilation, cooling and warm air distribution purposes.
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Loovent is Launched
The domestic extractor fan, the Loovent was launched. With over two million units sold to date and it still forms part of our residential ventilation portfolio of extractor fans.
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A Showroom Is Added
Part of the original factory is demolished and new offices, stores and a showroom complex is added to display Airflow's innovations.
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iCON is Launched
The iCON extractor fan is introduced with a unique, patented iris shutter design. And it still remains a highly distinctive and individual product.
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iCON Wins Awards
The iCON wins the European Red Dot Design Award in 2006. Since then, the company has developed its eco-air portfolio in line with the UK government policy towards energy efficient products. Our portfolio includes low noise, low energy fans and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery for commercial and residential building that meet the new Building Regulations, updated in June 2022.
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QuietAir Achieves Quiet Mark Status
QuietAir, the companies most energy efficient and quietest fan wins national recognition by achieving a Quiet Mark Status following independent testing by the Noise Abatement Society.
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Airflow Gets Eight MVHR Units
Our Duplexvent Flexi MVHR unit is a runner up in the H&V News Awards for Commercial HVAC product of the Year. We also became the only UK company with eight MVHR units approved by the Passive House Institute.
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Awards
Our Airflex Pro wins 'Air Movement Product of the Year' at the H&V News Awards. And the LOOVENT eco is short-listed for the KBB Kitchen and Bathroom Industry Awards.
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iCONstant Launch
We launch the iCONstant extractor fan - the quietest dMEV fan available today for toilets / bathrooms and utility rooms. And our Duplexvent Multi MVHR unit is highly commended in the H&V News Awards.
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Interactive Ventilation
Airflow Adroit range of internet enabling ventilation with Heat Recovery units introduced. New SMART technology allows control of the ventilation at home or on the go with a tablet or smart phone.
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Air Academy Opens
After considerable investment and refurbishment, the state-of-the-art Air Academy showroom, training and conference facility is opened in High Wycombe Head Office. A place where you can experience the past, present and future of ventilation and air measurement with the first inclined Manometer to the latest commercial SMART MVHR units being found in the Air Academy. This facility also provides quality training services including: RIBA approved CPD seminars, CIBSE approved CPD seminars as well as the NICEIC Ventilation Installers Competent Persons Training Scheme.
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Multi Award Winning Year
We won the Domestic Product of the Year at the Heating and Ventilating Reviews 11th Annual Awards with the Adroit DV51CH. This unit is also highly commended for the Sustainable Product of the Year category. Additionally, the Sussuro unit is highly commended for the Commercial/Industrial product of the Year. Later in September the Adroit DV51CH Unit also won Highly Commended for Ventilation product of the year at the H&V News awards meaning this Cooker Hood MVHR Unit was recognised three times in 2020. Lastly our new website is launched after months of hard work through the Covid-19 pandemic. The webiste has a complete refresh, packed with new and improved features!
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iCONsmart Launch
We launch our next-generation extractor fan, the iCONsmart. The iCONsmart has achieved the Quiet Mark Award and has Bluetooth so that you can pair the fan with the ‘MyAirflow’ App. The app allows you to set flow rates, timers, see your usage data, and lots more at the tip of your fingers.