Who were Thermal Exchange? A Legacy of Innovation in Process Cooling
Thermal Exchange Ltd was a UK-based company with a strong reputation for designing, manufacturing, and distributing advanced process cooling and temperature control equipment. Founded in 1982 and based in Leicester, the company initially specialised in cooling welding torches and other industrial processes, before expanding its expertise into medical, scientific, and broader industrial applications.
For over three decades, Thermal Exchange built a name for itself as a provider of robust, high-performance cooling equipment. The company was a pioneer in the development of rack-mounted chillers, a breakthrough innovation that became crucial for laser cooling in industrial applications.
Throughout its years of operation, Thermal Exchange was known for its customer-driven approach. The company worked closely with its UK customer base to develop bespoke cooling solution that met specific operational requirements, delivering not only off-the-shelf systems but also custom-engineered cooling units.
Core Specialisms of Thermal Exchange
Thermal Exchange’s product range was diverse and purpose-built to cater to specific cooling challenges, particularly in industrial applications. Throughout its years of operation, Thermal Exchange was known for its customer-driven approach. The company worked closely with customers to develop bespoke cooling solutions that met specific operational requirements, delivering not only off-the-shelf systems, but also custom-engineered cooling units.
Their expertise included:
Thermal Exchange initially focused on developing cooling solutions for welding torches, helping to enhance the longevity and efficiency of industrial welding equipment.
The company was a pioneer in rack-mounted cooling systems, designed for laser cooling in industrial settings, ensuring precision and efficiency in high-power laser applications.
Thermal Exchange was a leader in passive cooling technology, focusing on energy-efficient systems that minimised power consumption.
The company brought an extensive range of heat exchangers and airblast coolers into ATC’s portfolio, expanding beyond ATC’s prior limited experience in these areas.
Thermal Exchange had expertise in designing chillers that could use oil as a heat transfer fluid, particularly for specialised industrial applications.
The company developed high-precision temperature control systems for electron microscopes, ensuring exceptional thermal stability for sensitive imaging equipment.
Thermal Exchange had extensive experience in designing large-scale flatbed and dry cooling systems, which can be essential for industry and heavy-duty applications.
Acquisition by SDI Group and Merger with ATC
In February 2019, Thermal Exchange was acquired by Scientific Digital Imaging (SDI) Group, a company that invests in and develops scientific and industrial technology businesses. The acquisition was a strategic move to strengthen SDI’s portfolio in temperature control solutions and broaden its reach in the cooling industry.
Following the acquisition, Thermal Exchange was merged with Applied Thermal Control (ATC) in December 2019. ATC, also part of SDI Group, shares a strong heritage in the design and manufacture of recirculating chillers and cooling systems, serving similar markets.
This merger was a significant step in consolidating the expertise of both companies. By bringing together the experience, technical knowledge, and product ranges of Thermal Exchange and ATC, the combined entity was able to enhance its service offerings and provide a more comprehensive selection of cooling solutions to customers worldwide.
What did Thermal Exchange Bring to ATC?
The integration of Thermal Exchange into ATC was not just about combining two businesses; it was about strengthening capabilities and improving customer support.
At this part of the transition, the Thermal Exchange website was discontinued, and all product information, technical support, and service resources were migrated to ATC’s website to create a single point of reference for customers.
Thermal Exchange brought a range of benefits to ATC, including:
The addition of Thermal Exchange’s product line allowed ATC to offer a more diverse selection of cooling systems, meeting a wider range of customer needs, particularly in the industrial sector.
With decades of experience in process cooling, Thermal Exchange’s engineering and design knowledge complemented ATC’s existing expertise, leading to continuous innovation in product development.
With Thermal Exchange’s expertise, ATC gained greater capabilities in passive cooling systems, which help to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs for customers.
Thermal Exchange had built long-standing relationships with customers in industrial sectors, which ATC continued to support under the combined brand.
The merger allowed for streamlined production processes and increased manufacturing capacity, ensuring efficient delivery of high-quality cooling systems.
With a broader team and shared resources, ATC was able to enhance customer service, offering improved technical assistance, maintenance, and aftersales support.
The Future of Thermal Exchange’s Legacy
While the Thermal Exchange brand is no longer in operation, its impact lives on through ATC. The company’s innovative cooling solutions, dedication to quality, and customer-focused approach continue to shape the development of ATC’s products and services.
By integrating the best aspects of both companies, ATC remains committed to delivering high-performance cooling solutions for laboratories, industrial processes, and scientific applications. Customers who previously worked with Thermal Exchange can still find the same level of expertise, reliability, and technical excellence under the Applied Thermal Control brand.
