In Pescantina, just a few miles from Verona, Tecnovap was founded in 1985 by Giuliano Franchini who ran the company together with his brother Giuseppe. Today, production takes place in three different plants, while a fourth facility is currently under construction. Total factory floorspace is 7,500 m2 and total site area amounts to 40,000 m2.
The following notes describe the principal milestones in the development of the company up to its current position.
Introduction
1980-1984: At the age of only twenty, Giuliano Franchini worked as Chief Technician in a company manufacturing steam generators exclusively for direct selling networks. There, he acquired experience and know how in dealing with steam on the "door to door" market. It is his merit having recognized for first the tendency to using Total Quality Management as a marketing instrument. At the time steam generators were produced with pressure die-casted aluminum boilers while organizations selling cookware were already praising the high quality characteristics of stainless steel 18/10 which they would in fact guarantee for life.
History
In 1985: Inspired by this brilliant idea, Giuliano Franchini created a prototype of a boiler with this noble material using two convex stainless steel lids (taken from his house cookware set). The novelty consists in the "TIG" welding (Tungsten Inert Gas) without gasket and in the assembling of an interchangeable heating element. (practically a double pan with electric heating element - patented system).
Giuliano Franchi
ni founds the company Tecnovap: The main goal of this new company is to provide the direct sales market with top quality products that provide all the benefits of steam generation using the new patented boiler. The main investments are made on moulds for the production of steel boiler half-shells and outer casings in stainless steel and sheet metal. The resulting steam iron system, later denominated TRESOR, is received with enthusiasm by the Italian market.
1986: Giuliano's brother, Giuseppe, joins the Tecnovapcompany to take charge of the purchases. A new mould for body and chassis leads to the production of a more advanced multi-purpose unit called Comby, which combines the classic steam iron function with a range of accessories for ecological steam cleaning.
1988: Further investments in moulds for bodies and chassis: Tecnovap starts exporting (to France) a new product called Glovap, furnished with a series of accessories for cleaning walls and stripping off wallpaper
1989: Building on the success of Glovap, the company produces an industrial version called Standard, with an increased boiler capacity (from 9 to 12 liters).
1990: Tecnovap exhibits its products at the "Pulire" trade fair in Torino, displaying a range of systems for ecological steam cleaning. The company starts exporting to several European countries.
1991: With a brand new mould for bodies and chassis, the company produces Vappy (later called TOSCA), the world's most compact multi-purpose steam generator (with 4 liter boiler); this new model is produced using top quality materials (boiler in 18/10 stainless steel, ergonomically styled case in painted sheet metal) and is primarily aimed at the domestic market.
1993: With an investment in 21 multiple cavity moulds, Tecnovap designs, produces, and patents KIT JULY, an appealingly styled set of fiberglass-reinforced nylon accessories for steam cleaning applications without use of chemical detergents.
1994: Starting from a new mould for the production of warm-formed cases and covers, Tecnovap participates at the international "Interclean" fair in Amsterdam, where the new industrial range Chattanooga Hi-Tech is presented, which features a system combining steam cleaning with a wet-dry vac system and boiling water injection, thus obtaining optimum levels of environmental hygiene and sanitization. Professional users are quick to see the benefits, and orders soon start coming in from all over the world. The company is expanded by the foundation of Degani Franco in Negrar (Verona), destined to operate as Tecnovap's mechanical engineering division and concentrating on the assembly of the internal boilers.
1995: New investments in 34 moulds: presentation of KIT RADAMES, a set of rugged and practical accessories designed to allow users to get the most out of products in the Chattanooga Hi-Tech range. Patents are also taken out on a newly developed rapid steam generator boiler.
1997: New mould for bodies: production of the Chattanooga Junior, a unit with the same functions as its larger version, Hi-Tech, but featuring more compact dimensions to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
1998: Purchase of moulds for bodies and chassis: presentation of AIDA LIVE, the first steam-vac system on the market that can be disassembled so that the steam and vacuum elements can be used simultaneously in separate locations. The innovation of this unit lies principally in its broad range of potential applications, including the landmark air purification function that serves to reduce the presence of airborne dust mites and allergens.
1999: Tecnovap obtains the ISO 9002 certification for its quality system from the Swiss accreditation institute SGS. The Junior model is joined by Junior V.A.I. and Junior 24/7, two more advanced versions with several specific features. The company presents its new 8400 W three-phase boiler design at the "Cibus" fair in Parma.
2000: During the "Interclean" fair in Amsterdam, Tecnovap presents the most powerful model in the Hi-Tech series: Hi-Tech 12000 trifase with injection system, together with the new GEYSER STEAM lance accessory. The new Brin drive unit is developed and presented at the "Hostelco" fair in Barcelona complete with Hepa filter and equipped with the relax kit. The Aida Live steam generator is submitted for a testing program at the University of Verona. Dr Vicentini, head of the project, confirms in full the efficiency of the appliance's cleaning action and particularly its ability to remove dust mites and allergens from treated air, thus providing a valuable aid for allergy victims. 2000 is also the foundation year of Tecnovap Plast, based in Settimo di Pescantina (Verona), a new company that handles the entire process of moulding and assembly of accessory kits and vacuum cleaners.
2001: Official presentation of AIDA BABY at the “Domotechnica” exposition in Cologne (from 07/03/2001 until 09/03/2001); a machine invented and developed for the growing domestic market and destined to the door-to-door sale. Created with a new series of drawing moulds, base and underbase in stainless steel and a boiler with 3 liter capacity.
Presentation of the aspirating, blowing, heating board (without any motor), ergonomic and economical with traditional Tecnovap patent.
At the “Europrope” exposition in Paris (from 13/06/2001 until 16/03/2001) official presentation of the “Sun head”, with injection mould, on the whole industrial line with the great possibility to use the water filter and the Hepa filter also in the professional sector.
On October 5 Linea Tecnovap is born. Thanks to the collaboration of Lino Battaioli and Giancarlo Sartori the team is growing and exporting the door-to-door system in the whole world, thus developing this new tendency with great success.
On December 7 the new STEAM TECH three-phase is presented that will replace Chattanooga Hi-Tech.
This new model is born already grown-up since it incorporates all the experience previously obtained in the professional - industrial sector. The difference lies in the way of designing and constructing industrial three-phase generators (8400W, 12000W, 15600W, 22800W), thus facilitating maintenance and service.
2002: on February 27 two new models are presented during the "Pulire" fair in Spain: Junior Star is taking the place of Junior 27/7 and CARMEN PLUS replaces Carmen.
On May 14 Tecnovap participates in the ISSA Interclean fair at Amsterdam where the new Steam Tech 15600 W is presented that will be available after the acquisition of the Ped-Regulation.
2003: New range EXTRA LINE with boards mod. ARCO, EKOand EOLO can be used with our Tosca and Tresor models. They will be presented at the exhibition "Pulire 2003" in Verona:
The new STEAM TECH 22800 W to combine with the new conveyor belt steam cleaning system 300-600-900-1200 mm Width.
CARMEN PLUS with trolley for urban and extra-urban uses, available on request power generator group of 4,5 KW.
HILL 24 / 7 with True Temp automatic refilling.
NEW and INNOVATIVE KIT OF STEAM ACCESSORIES STAR lighter, more comfortable and very manageable.
CONFORT LINE The new way of ironing while seated-Table mod. CONFORT DELUXE can be used with incorporated steam generator STIRO DELUXE.
2004: Macef exhibition (Spring 2004), presentation of the steaming ironing table CONFORT VAPO with steaming board and incorporated steam generator STIRO VAPO.
Presentation of Aida Baby Inox 18/10. Presentation of the specific Bacchus System for the steam cleaning of bottling production lines with and without micro filtration, adapted also for the ecological cleaning in the FOOD & BEVERAGE industry.
2005: Production start of the new high pressure KIT RADAMES and JULY to be used at 10 bar Steam pressure with the steam generators of our Industrial line. Presentation at the fair PULIRE 2005 of the new Industrial range with stainless steel body, with up to 39KW output, adapted for the food & beverage industry. Available also for this market is a three-phase vacuum cleaner which can be used together with our steam generators or separalely. Presentation of the steam KIT MOP with models of 6 bar steam pressure, ideal for the steam cleaning of medical and veterinary laboratories, hospital etc...
2006: CARMEN PLUS INOX joins the new inox line, it is an improved machine for professional market, with a new bigger boiler (firstly 1,5, now 4lt), power 3,65 kW, stainless steel body and with a powerful wet&dry vacuum.
HYDRO BOX is presented at ISSA INTERCLEAN in Amsterdam, it is a machine suitable for hot and cold cleaning of any environment thanks to its strong water jet 150 bar 2/11 l/min.
JUNIOR STAR MAX is created from evolution of Junior Star, it has a new design, bigger boiler (firstly 4, now 5lt) and digital manometer with hour counter.
Following requests of German market, the smallest in the world steam generator is born, arrived to a power of 8 bar, HILL INJECTION 24/7, equipped with digital manometer and hour counter, designed for domestic and professional market.
The new KIT GEYSER - HYDRO is realized, it is more manageable, sturdy and ergonomic. It can be used both with steam and water.
2007: As per tradition, TECNOVAP participates at PULIRE exhibition in Verona, and this year its news and technological improvements are, to say the least, amazing. First of all, all professional models can be equipped with the option of overheated water injection. New models, which will join the already wide range, are presented: the models STEAM BOX MINI and JUNIOR STAR MAX are divided into models at 6 bar and 10 bar; from domestic model AIDA BABY a new semi-professional model AIDA BABY 24-7 is born (it has 6 bar pressure, overheated water injection as standard and automatic water refill); the top model of Chattanooga line STEAM TECH is improved and equipped with 7,3lt boiler; based on Hill Injection, the new machine GAL 8 bar is born; also the model ELIS 2007 is added (the most economic generator of its line). Finally, the model TRESOR 2007 is born, suitable both for domestic and professional ironing, equipped with 2,5lt boiler and stainless steel body. Regarding accessories, the new KIT STEAM GEYSER is realized, containing a series of handcrafted accessories, created appositively for holding pressures up to 10 bar, high temperatures and for use with overheated water injection.
2008: STEAM MOP system passes the test of Verona University’s Medicine Section, after various tests in hospitals a certificate is issued, which approves the STEAM MOP efficacy. Furthermore, the Kit is redesigned and improved, making it more sturdy and practical.
During ISSA Interclean exhibition in Amsterdam, Tecnovap exhibits its news and shows its technological improvements: the system of water refilling into tanks is improved for STEAM BOX models; 90lt auxiliary tank is designed; and, following the request of our dealers, the power regulation system is designed (regulation from 10,8 kW to 36 kW, always for STEAM BOX models).
In the course of the year, a new accessory is created, appositively for use in carwash and transportation sectors, a steam/vacuum nozzle covered by stainless steel.
In preview, at Vinitaly the BACCHUS-BARRIQUE system is presented, to be used for barriques sanitation, steam diffuser which, inserted in barrique for approximately 1 minute, can sanitize the interior.
2009: At Pulire exhibition in Verona the ESTETICAR system is presented to all our dealers, it is the first in the world steam cleaner for car interiors and exteriors! Steam system for carwash services, equipped with two outputs, one with steam/vacuum nozzle for internal cleaning, and one with lance for external polishing.
In collaboration with our Scandinavian dealer, TECNOVAP AB, the new Mini Steam Mop of 220 mm is presented, which can be used with July kit, it is small and manageable, ideal for sanitation and thorough removal of dirt from all surfaces thanks to its microfiber cloth.