1970s
In the 1970s with the Company fully established, significant structural changes were made. Some divisions of the Company were split to become companies in their own right and were located in the former premises of Soler & Palau. One of these companies was MATRIX, S.A, a factory dedicated to the construction of molds and dies. Another was SOME, S.A specializing in metal pressing processes. Finally RODIN, S.A, a factory specializing in the production of plastic molded parts which started to play an increasingly important role with the developments of plastic residential ventilation products.
In 1976 Commercial S&P S.A was created located at Calle Rocafort in the city of Barcelona. The division became responsible for the marketing and promotion of all products manufactured by Soler & Palau, S.A. and Rodín, S.A.
Accumulated experience combined with research and developments made it necessary to expand the testing laboratory to include the creation of a large anechoic noise testing chamber. Furthermore, in 1972 Soler & Palau published the first Ventilation Compendium in Spanish language.
During this period of evolution, new products were launched onto the market including products for the Residential range such as the HPM series; CDB-450 or EDM-350 extractor fans for kitchens; as well as industrial products such as the HXM axial fan series and the first CBM and CBP low-pressure centrifugal fans.
International expansion began in the mid-1970s through the contacts made at ventilation exhibitions and through the creation of new subsidiary companies such as UNELVENT, located in Thuir, in France.
International expansion accelerated the launch of products that supplemented an already comprehensive range offered by the Company in the local markets. Products were adapted for the needs of the local international markets. Internationally focused products were launched which included the HAT, TTT and CXT fans for commercial and industrial applications. In addition the first ECM and ECT industrial fan heaters were all introduced onto the market along with products designed for local and international agriculture applications.
The Company’s 25th anniversary was celebrated with a big party attended by all employees. The party celebrated the creation of a company at a period of time with significant economic challenges yet one that had continued to grow successfully and continued to expand its operations in both local and international markets.
The expansion of products into the residential market sector continued with the launch of important products such as the HCM and TDM Series. At the same time the concept of the TD fan was born. The TD fan became an iconic product for the Company and one which received world-wide recognition from important professional design organizations such as FAD (Foment de les Arts i del Disseny) and the Golden Delta prize for Industrial design. At this period of time the first intermittent plastic bathroom fan, the EDM160, was launched.
In 1980 King Juan Carlos I received Mr. José Palau in recognition of the Company’s work, success and contribution to the country.
At the end of the 1970’s the workforce had expanded to 553 employees and sales revenues to 1,457 million pesetas (8.8 million Euros).
