1960s
Despite the difficulties with the supply of raw materials during this period the Company continued to grow. The continued growth forced the Company to embark on an ambitious project to build a new factory in the outskirts of Ripoll. The factory would include a large space for an iron and aluminum foundry with the first phase scheduled for completion in 1962.
The launch of new products continued providing momentum to the company. New products included the TET extra ventilated series; new CBT medium-pressure centrifugal fans; fans for the VFM cold storage industry, and the first venture into bathroom and kitchen ventilation market with the CDB-95 and 150. One of the pioneering products that provided significant contribution to the foundation of Soler & Palau was the HBT series of axial fans. This important product line received recognition from the Golden Delta awards for Industrial Design.
In 1963, during a period of significant growth, the decision was made to build two buildings in Ripoll for domestic housing purposes. These buildings were then provided to Company employees.
In 1967 the Company logo was changed to include an outer box.
In 1969 the Puigmal plant was built into which all manufacturing and office functions were relocated. The old building was then used exclusively for the foundry processes.
In the same year demand for residential, commercial and industrial products prompted the creation of S&P’s first after-sales service network. The network spanned 13 Spanish cities, plus the city of Oporto in Portugal. The new service guaranteed the repair of an S&P product “indefinitely and without charge,” in the event of a manufacturing or material defect.
New products continued to emerge from the design department. These included the HPM range for residential ventilation applications; the COT centrifugal fans and the HXT and HMT axial fan series for commercial and industrial applications.
At the end of the 1960s the first airflow test chamber facility was established in the new factory and product catalogues started to include product airflow performance curves.
Also at this time to ensure the supply of future qualified labor to support the expansion of the Company, Soler & Palau founded a Professional Training School within the Company itself.
At the end of the decade the Company employed 467 workers and had sales revenues of million pesetas (1.4 million Euros).
