By Eamonn Ryan
Evapco celebrates 50 years of innovation and global growthEvapco, the global name in heat transfer solutions, has celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking a journey that began with truly humble beginnings and has grown into a worldwide success story.
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Founded on 14 June 1976 in Baltimore, Maryland, US, by Bill Kahlert and Wilson Bradley, Evapco started life in the back of a garage, initially focused on evaporative condensers for the refrigeration market. “Through commitment to quality, service and continuous innovation, today five decades later, the company has evolved into a global market leader in heat transfer products and services with 30 manufacturing facilities in 10 countries, more than 4 000 permanent employees, and annual sales exceeding USD2-billion,” said Evapco South Africa managing director Andre van der Merwe.
At a special anniversary celebration, Van der Merwe reflected on this remarkable trajectory. He paid tribute to the founders’ vision and to the many employees and partners who have shaped the business.
A key theme of his address was that Evapco’s enduring strength lies in its people and its family-style culture. Staff at all levels, along with long-standing suppliers and sales representatives, were recognised as integral to the company’s success.
The event highlighted Evapco’s expansion from a single-product focus to a full spectrum of heat transfer solutions serving commercial buildings, cold storage, food and beverage plants, data centres, industrial processes and power generation. While the company’s portfolio and global reach have grown substantially, its core values have remained constant.
Global speakers reiterated Evapco’s commitment to quality, service and innovation, underpinned by significant ongoing investment in research and development. Equally important is the company’s focus on sustainability, including energy-efficient designs, water conservation and environmentally responsible technologies.
Central to the celebrations was Evapco’s guiding philosophy of ‘Evapco for life’ – a phrase that captures not only the lifetime value it strives to deliver to customers, but also the long-term relationships it builds with employees, suppliers and partners across the globe.
As Evapco looks ahead to the next 50 years, it does so as both a technical leader and a values-driven organisation, committed to excellence, integrity and the people who make its continued success possible.
