A short history of ACV

The story of ACV started in Brussels on July 8, 1922, when a handful of engineers founded the company “Ateliers de Construction d’Appareils de Chauffage et de Ventilation" (ACV) [ Workshops for the Construction of Heating and Ventilation Equipement ], the objective of which was to “manufacture and sell boilers, radiators, condensers, etc". Six years later, ACV merged with the company “Fonderies et Emailleries Sainte Marguerite" [ Saint Margaret Foundries and Enamelling Works ].  From 1929, under the management of Albert Buchet,  ACV rapidly made a name for itself. 

Thanks to its innovative products, the company managed to survive the crisis of the 30’s, the Second World War and the period of reconstruction that followed. ACV adapted to the changes in the market by diversifying and by introducing new products. In response  to the emergence of fuel oil for domestic heating at the dawn of the 1960’s, ACV revised its entire strategy. Ever since, the company has focussed on boilers for heating, water heater tanks and domestic tanks. ACV was one of the first companies to offer stainless steel water heater tanks according to a concept labelled “Tank-in-Tank".

Toward the middle of the 1970’s, ACV began to export and successfully challenge its international competitors. In the 80’s and 90’s, ACV introduced new product ranges, such as the autonomous water heater “HeatMaster®" designed for commercial and industrial applications and the combined boiler and water heater “Delta" intended for residential applications.

Today ACV is represented in some 40 countries and supported by 14 direct subsidiaries and a network of authorized dealers. The ACV group’s manufacturing operations are performed at two production facilities, one in Belgium and one in the USA.

SOME KEY MILESTONES

• 1922 : Foundation of the company "Ateliers de Construction d’Appareils de Chauffage et de Ventilation (ACV)"  [ Workshops for the Construction of Heating and Ventilation Equipment ].
• 1928 : Merger with the company “Fonderies et Emailleries Sainte Marguerite" [ Saint Margaret Foundries and Enamelling Works ].
• 1929 : Albert Buchet is named General Manager of ACV, and remains in that position until 1968.
• 1932 : ACV  appears at the "Exposition Internationale" in Brussels.
• 1935 : ACV earns the gold medal at the Brussels international trade fair.
• 1945-1959 : ACV diversifies by introducing boiler water softeners and takes advantage of the wash room “boom" by launching a line of steam boilers. When fuel oil emerged as a residential heating fuel, ACV  changes its strategy and starts to design and manufacture heating boilers, water heater tanks and fuel oil tanks. 
• 1960-1975 : ACV's turnover grows by a factor of 12 and the number of employees increases from 50 to 250.
• 1965 : ACV introduces the first stainless steel system .
• 1970 : The brand new heat exchanger system "Tank-in-Tank" becomes a huge success, and one that stands the test of time.
• 1974 : ACV introduces the Delta Concept.
• 1976 : ACV starts to export products throughout the world.
• 1980-1986 : The Tank-in-Tank range broadens.
• 1990 : Introduction of the first HeatMaster®, the ultra high-performance water heater. 
• 1995-1996 : Introduction of of the first ACV gas pre-mix burner.
• 2000 : Inauguration of a new 18,000 sq-m production facility in Seneffe.
• 2001 : ACV earns the Royal Export Award, a prestigious prize in recognition of its export activities.
• 2002 : Introduction of the Smart Line, the stainless steel Tank-in-Tank hot water generator with high-density injected polyurethane foam insulation.
• 2003 : Introduction of the Prestige 24-32 Excellence, a wall-hung condensing boiler featuring a heat exchanger with stainless steel flue ways and an integrated Tank-in-Tank hot water generator.
• 2004 : Launch of E-Tech, ACV’s new range of wall-hung electric boilers.