Video

History
Company and people
Products

Video

History
Company and people
Products

Video

History
Company & people
Products

Video

History
Company & people
Products

Video

History
Company & people
Products

Video

History
Company and people
Products

Video

History
Company and people
Products

History

Change, movement, reshaping: the "wild" sixties are a time of transformation from the very beginning. The building of the Berlin Wall, the Kennedy assassination, James Bond, the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final and flower power. The laser is invented in 1960; solar technology is also developed in the sixties, and in the aerospace industry, the first satellites for television reception are designed.

In the same decade, the music of the Beatles conquers people's living rooms and leads to a fashion and cultural revolution amongst the youth of the day. By the end of the decade, nothing seems impossible: the Americans fly to the moon, there is nudity on stage in the hippie musical "Hair" in Berlin, and Willy Brandt is the first Social Democrat to become German chancellor.

Company and people

Whether politically, socially, culturally or technically – the world becomes bigger and more colourful in the 1960s, and people generally show more awareness and resolve. At this time, the American Thermal Appliance Company – later renamed TACO – has already been reliably providing hot water in American homes for 40 years. In 1961, the company founds its European subsidiary Taco Heizungen AG in Zurich – and Taconova is born.

The young trading company moves into its first premises in Militärstrasse and initially employs five people. Its purpose is initially to market the US products across the European market. In addition, the company also has its own product line, which is already very successful on the market at the time and is still appreciated today.

Products

From the very beginning, the company sets itself the task of making people's lives as comfortable as possible with its products and services. The TacoVent is developed in the 1960s – a truly pioneering product that is still innovative, even from today's perspective. This ingenious and fully automatic radiator air vent valve puts an end to "gurgling" heating systems.

Manually bleeding the radiators and the typical dirty wallpaper are things of the past in the sixties thanks to this innovation. The TacoVent reliably removes unwanted air from heating systems, increases their efficiency and in turn reduces energy consumption and running costs – and is therefore right on trend, then as now

History

Bell-bottoms, platform soles, disco and punk characterise the colourful cultural decade that is the seventies. The Beatles split up, whilst John Travolta brings iconic new music and fashion to Europe with "Saturday Night Fever".

At the same time, two oil crises bring about a new direction in the automobile industry. In the 1970s, video games and PCs herald the change from the industrial age to the information age, and the American computer programmer Ray Tomlinson sends the first email – a test message to himself.

The world's first test-tube baby is born; "Star Wars" hits the cinemas and remains an undisputed classic to this day. With the trend for all things retro, the seventies are making a comeback today.

Company and people

The young company Taco Heizungen AG is growing steadily and business in Europe is flourishing. In 1971, moving premises becomes unavoidable due to high production volumes.

The company head office is moved to Altstetten in the city of Zurich. Production of the modified products takes place from then on in Glattbrugg. The increasing demand, especially in Germany, also leads to a German subsidiary being established in the same year.

In 1977, Taconova again fundamentally expands its product range, focuses on the development and production of components, and changes its name to Taco Armaturen AG.

Products

Safety, quality and simplicity – the NovaMix thermal domestic hot water mixing valve, launched by Taconova in the 1970s, embodies precisely the characteristics for which the company still stands today. A real innovation in building services at the time, it still ensures constant temperatures in hot water systems today, protecting users from scalding and equipment from damage. The mixing valves, which have since proven themselves many times over, work automatically with no additional auxiliary energy, feature a beneficial anti-limescale coating and come with the option of a "failsafe" function, which triggers a complete safety shutdown in the event of cold water failure. The thermal element is also available as a spare part and can be replaced without removing the valve – it simply has be to shut off. From drinking water installations to area heating and renewable energy systems – then as now, the NovaMix increases comfort, safety and energy efficiency in many important areas of building technology, and is more relevant than ever due to its use in solar thermal systems.

History

Leg warmers, leggings and leotards – everyone's crazy about aerobics and has a Walkman glued to their ears in the bold, bizarre eighties, one of the most colourful decades ever. Tennis socks, neon tracksuits and huge shoulder pads conquer the fashion world; Madonna and Michael Jackson the charts. The Space Shuttle flies into space and back again. The first heart transplant is a success. Classic films such as Dirty Dancing, E.T. and Footloose celebrate their cinema premiere. People play with yo-yos and Rubik's cubes on every street corner; overhead projectors and photocopiers are used for the first time in offices and schools. The "Neue Deutsche Welle" music genre and the mullet hairstyle are unstoppable, and with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, this incredible, iconic decade comes to a momentous end.

Company and people

The 1980s are full of surprises. One of the lesser-known ones is that, for a short time during this decade, Taconova is owned by one of the world's most popular breweries. In 1980, the company is taken over by the Guinness Group and the subsidiary in Hoppetenzell near Lake Constance is dissolved. Three years later, in 1983, the company has a new owner again – this time a Swiss investor.

The dynamic expansion of the company leads to a relocation of its head office in Switzerland from Altstetten to Urdorf. Taconova continues to modify existing American products, but the focus is now increasingly on its own developments for the European market.

Products

In the course of the company's successful in-house development work, another classic product in the Taconova range is launched in the eighties: the TacoSetter Inline. With its sight glass and display scale, it is still seen as the original for static hydronic balancing in the plumbing industry. With the TacoSetter Inline, every installer can immediately set the right amount of water for the system in question, precisely and conveniently, as part of hydronic balancing on site, without having to invest beforehand in training and expensive measuring equipment. The valve can be installed in a horizontal, diagonal or vertical position. The only thing to look out for is the arrow showing the flow direction of the medium – a simple and convenient solution, which is typical of Taconova. In order to offer the best possible service, Taconova continuously works on this classic product and optimises it on a regular basis.

History

In the nineties, the digital revolution picks up speed with the World Wide Web: this ensures global networking and makes information quickly available worldwide. At the same time, the first mobile phones are taking hold of the market, whilst Game Boy and Tamagotchi become the main distraction for many children. Germany is reunited, and people flaunt their bellybuttons and funky outfits as they dance to pop music by Britney Spears and DJ Bobo or to a techno beat at the Love Parade. The lava lamp becomes the must-have interior design item, whilst Forrest Gump and Titanic take the big screen by storm. In 1992, the first text message is sent, reading "merry christmas". Even at this time, people are using their mobile phones more for texting than for making calls. At the same time, the DVD revolutionises home cinema and replaces the good old video cassette, while the Discman replaces the Walkman.

Company and people

The 1990s are a decade of movement, with innovative technologies dominating the market and the world networking more than ever before. At Taconova too, there's plenty going on in this decade as well, with company expansion in full swing: in 1992, Avia Osterwalder AG in Zurich takes over the company and renames it Ostaco. The Taconova brand is created as a tribute to the former parent company. In 1996, a subsidiary is founded in the Czech Republic. The assembly plant in Velesin has been in operation for 25 years for all aspects of final production. One year later, Taconova GmbH is founded in Singen, Germany.

Products

In these times of European expansion, the Taconova product range also continues to develop. As a result, another trendsetter comes along in the nineties to complement the range: the TacoSetter Bypass is launched. This popular and reliable original product for static hydronic balancing – known in the industry as the "TacoSetter" – is considered the absolute classic amongst balancing valves. Its sight glass allows systems to be balanced quickly and easily without any other aids. No restriction on the installation position, no maintenance required, a low pressure drop, high heat resistance up to 180 degrees, and a regulating valve that can be shut off – these are just some of the advantages of this proven balancing valve. Without compromising on its most popular features, the TacoSetter is continuously enhanced and still forms an integral part of the Taconova product range today.

History

In terms of fashion, the look at the dawn of the new millennium is colourful, eye-catching and sometimes very comfortable. UGG boots, flared hipsters and studded belts are all the rage, while people listen to No Angels, Shakira or Eminem, first on MP3 players and later on iPods. The first big casting and talent shows flicker across our screens, mobile phones finally establish themselves, USB sticks are the gadget on every desk and the first smartphones also appear on the market. In the middle of the decade, Germany savours a fairy-tale summer of football, while at the same time the world has to cope with a global financial crisis. Barack Obama becomes the first African-American president of the USA; Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings take us into the realm of fantasy fiction. By the end of the decade, touchscreens and flat screens are the new normal. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Wikipedia are establishing themselves.

Company and people

In the first decade of the 21st century, the world continues to network and digitalisation progresses.

Taconova does not stand still either: LAMACO AG in England makes way for the new sales company Taconova UK Ltd. It takes over responsibility for sales in the whole of Great Britain and Ireland. Shortly afterwards, another sales company is founded: Taconova France Sarl. Based in Alsace, it offers the complete range for France and Belgium. A new Taconova sales office is established in Prague, Czech Republic.

Products

Alongside the expansion of European sales, the company enters the area of system technology with the development and production of the first solar loading stations. Soon to follow are centralised heat interface units and storage loading stations, which include features such as high quality stainless steel piping. They incorporate many proven Taconova components. These ready-to-use complete solutions simplify and speed up planning and installation, and reduce maintenance to a minimum. Thanks to the modern Taconova centralised heat interface units, hot water no longer needs to be stored. The water is heated up directly via a stainless steel plate heat exchanger only when required and the DHW temperature is controlled electronically – a very future-oriented solution from a hygiene and energy perspective.

History

In the 2010s, digital communication picks up speed once again: WhatsApp and emojis are integral to most people's daily lives, mobile phone cameras are almost as good as compact cameras, and selfie sticks and face filters ensure picture perfect self-portraits on social media. Bitcoin revolutionises the money economy, voice control makes its way into everyday life with Alexa, Siri & co., and films – or often entire series in one go – are streamed via platforms. 3D printers are affordable and smartphones become indispensable parts of our lives (with this being the decade in which we begin using facial recognition to unlock them). Influencers emerge as a whole new professional group that shakes up more than just the fashion world. At the same time, environmental disasters bring climate change further into focus, the Fridays for Future movement takes off and climate-friendly technology gains more ground than ever.

Company and people

The 2010s are very eventful and instrumental for Taconova. In 2011, OSTACO AG is given a new company name and starts trading as Taconova Group AG. The company becomes even more growth-oriented and makes targeted investments in staff in development, product management and sales. A fresh corporate design highlights the new direction. In 2016, the company moves into new offices in the Osterwalder Tower in Zurich. In 2017, the former US parent company Taco Inc. buys back Taconova. This closes a circle that began in 1961 when Taconova was founded by Taco: Taconova is once again part of the Taco family. In addition to even greater expertise and a strengthened position worldwide, both Taconova and Taco benefit from each other's product ranges. Likewise, both share the same brand values: comfort and highly efficient solutions that save customers time and effort. 

Products

In the 2010s, Taconova further expands its system technology division. In 2013, the company presents the TacoTherm Dual decentralised heat interface unit at ISH, a world leading trade fair in Frankfurt. This step is a powerful response by Taconova to market demand, as comprehensive, comfortable and energy saving solutions are more sought-after than ever in building technology. Taconova's connection-ready decentralised heat interface units tick all these boxes. The sophisticated units supply drinking water heated to the exact degree and at the same time distribute heating water to the system as needed. In everyday use, they thus guarantee reliable operation, reduce maintenance to a minimum and optimise energy costs. As if that was not enough, these ready-to-use complete solutions also simplify and speed up planning and installation.

History

The decade is still young and challenging times prevail from the very beginning, as Covid-19 forces a sharp focus around the globe on health, digitalisation and e-commerce in 2020. Artificial intelligence is also getting smarter and smarter: virtual voice assistants and chatbots are an integral part of everyday life for many people, AI systems help doctors diagnose cancer and self-learning software supports companies within Industry 4.0. At the same time, private companies are shaking up the space industry.

The first manned orbital flight of a privately developed and operated spacecraft takes off in May 2020, heading for the ISS. Despite all the progress, heavy rainfall events, forest fires and other natural disasters reveal limits – environmental awareness is rising steadily and climate change becomes another dominant theme in the early years of this decade.

Company and people

In this challenging decade, the Taco Family of Companies has three anniversaries to celebrate: Taco in the USA is 100 years old, Taconova reaches 60 and the production site in Velesin turns 25. In addition, Cheryl Merchant is promoted to CEO of the Taco Family of Companies in 2020. In Europe, the Taco pump range is fully integrated into the Taconova portfolio as the fifth product area and marketed under the name TacoFlow.

Taconova also rises to the challenges of the new decade, such as climate change and digitalisation, with BIM, a configurator and a presence on numerous social media platforms: the company is ready for even more eco-friendly comfort solutions that focus on customers, suppliers and employees.

Products

Through the merger of the Taco Family of Companies, Taconova has highly efficient circulation pumps also in its portfolio at the start of the new decade, which have already proven themselves on the market to be successful and sustainable. Well known OEM customers have been using the reliable and high quality Taco pumps for years. In addition to the range of pumps already established on the market, at the beginning of the 2020s Taconova also launches new models with smart functions and exciting features – under the name TacoFlow and in new, fresh packaging. With the highly efficient TacoFlow2 eLink circulation pump and compatible eLink app, the company is taking a step towards smart building technology. The pump can be connected to the visually appealing and intuitive app via Bluetooth, making the job as convenient as possible for the installer.

True to its "Comfort Solutions" motto, the Taconova Group steadily continues to enhance its portfolio of products and services – for even more tangible comfort, simplicity, safety and quality of life. In the past, today and in the future.