About Us - Brazeway

OUR HISTORY

Founded on Innovation

In 1946, Charlie Hickman and Al Goldsmith had an idea. They believed they could directly extrude tight tolerance aluminum tubing, eliminating drawing processes. But their employer said it couldn’t be done.

So they moved across the street and started up Brazeway.

Built on Innovation

Unable to afford an extrusion press, they began by designing brazed assemblies for White Consolidated Appliances, which was later acquired by Electrolux. Eventually, they bought their first press, realizing their dream.

In 1956, it was Brazeway’s invention of the copper/aluminum transition tube, the first product to connect the dissimilar metals, that put us on the map, and was known as the impetus that allowed for the widespread use of aluminum in refrigeration systems.

Generations of Innovation

Today, Brazeway is the world’s largest producer of aluminum thin-wall, refrigeration-grade round tube and is known throughout the world as the most innovative producer of frost-free evaporator coils. For three generations, we have continued this tradition of innovation, and our history is defined by all the milestones we have introduced and achieved.

CONTINUOUSLY INNOVATING

1946—BRAZEWAY FOUNDED

Brazeway was founded on the unconventional idea that extruded aluminum tubing could replace copper in refrigeration systems. It was an early demonstration of a disruptive event in the industry.

EARLY 1950s—TIGHT TOLERANCE EXTRUSION

Mastery of tight-tolerance extrusion achieves level of control previously exclusive only to drawn tubing.

1956—BI-METAL CONNECTOR

Invention of the bi-metal connector allowed the introduction of aluminum to the refrigeration industry.

1960—DOG-BONE

The “dog-bone” style tube and fin construction is now known worldwide as the Brazeway-style evaporator.

1973—VARI-FIN

The “vari-fin” evaporator manufacturing process allows for significant flexibility in design.

EARLY 1990s—MICROCHANNEL TUBING

Brazeway pioneers extruded microchannel tubing which revolutionizes auto air conditioning.

MID 1990s—MODULAR COIL

First modular evaporator coil invented for refrigerated display cases improves quality and cost for commercial refrigeration.

2002—CuAl JOINT

“CuAl” joint development perfects the copper to aluminum connection and eliminates need for leak testing.

2006—STEEL CONDENSERS

The addition of steel condensers to the Brazeway portfolio enables new innovations in the sealed system.

2007—HVAC MICROCHANNEL

Introduction of microchannel into HVAC applications extends design and performance limits.

2009—HVAC ALUMINUM

Brazeway takes charge and leads the conversion from copper to aluminum in the HVAC industry.

2013—EXTRUSION ADVANCEMENT

Brazeway installs new press #9 and begins production with the most advanced, state-of-the-art extrusion technology.

2014—ROLL COAT

Roll coat corrosion treatment extends durability of microchannel tubing, expanding the applications where it can be employed.

2015—eco7

With the launch of the eco7 evaporator, heat transfer technology achieves the highest performance from the lowest profile design ever.

2016—LARGEST PRESS

With the latest press installation, Brazeway now operates the largest heat transfer extrusion press on the North American continent.

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

As a manufacturing partner, Brazeway can leverage our vertically integrated global footprint to help you design a better product with tighter tolerance, longer-life alloys, higher tube-to-fin contact and within a shorter time frame so you can be first to market with a better product.

• Brazeway USA: Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky

• Brazeway Mexico: Monterrey

• Poland: Grupporeco, evaporators

• Brazil: Arotubi, evaporators

• China: Parker Hannifin, evaporators

• Germany: Erbsloh/WKW, microchannel