History of Steam Innovation
Hydro-Thermal traces its roots back to 1927, when inventors John White and Roy Miller patented heating equipment using steam to precisely control water temperature. The device was “direct in action,” extended the service life and used a “valve seat with a sliding closure member”. These components continue to serve as a foundation for Hydro-Thermal’s direct steam injection technology today.
How Hydro-Thermal Began…
In 1964 the Zaiser family purchased the business and renamed it Hydro-Thermal Corporation. Donald Zaiser operated the company at its Wauwatosa, Wisconsin location on 70th and State Street. Companies like ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), Cargill, Cerestar, Corn Products Company, and Grain Processing Corporation used the Hydroheater for integrated corn-based sugar production.
Gary Zaiser began the second generation of ownership in 1979. With his Mechanical Engineering degree from Cornell University, the company expanded applications to grain based ethanol at Andersons, Badger State Ethanol, Flint River, and VeraSun, and the chemical industry at Ashland Chemical, EI DuPont, PCS Phosphates, and PPG Industries. Hydro-Thermal grew in business, building its facilities in Waukesha, Wisconsin and grew in knowledge through university partnerships to generate fundamental research in steam heating.
Today, Jim Zaiser represents the third generation, leading the company’s product diversification, advanced two-phase flow realization, international expansion, and system integration. The company has continued its application to the traditional industries as well as new installations in petroleum, mining, and food processing.
The company has more than a dozen active patents and registration in numerous foreign countries. It manages business processes though an integrated ISO 9001 quality procedure. An on-site test lab allows engineers, researchers and academia to completely understand and develop new innovative and value-added processes. The company continues to invest in people, hiring the best and the brightest, and investing in the health and wellness of all employees.
Hydro-Thermal ~ Competitive Advantage
Many companies say they are the best in the business. Through its network of experts and innovative products, Hydro-Thermal Corporation offers a variety of unique factors that put the company above all others.
Visit YouTube
Steam Innovation Timeline
This timeline explores the history of Hydro-Thermal from 1911 to present day. Each decade features illustrated descriptions of significant innovations in the company and products, as well as company history milestones. Please enjoy learning more about our company and the industry in general.
1911 Direct steam injection technology developed
1927 Precursor to Hydroheater for water heating patented
Hydro-Thermal traces its roots back to 1927, when inventors John White and Roy Miller patented heating equipment using steam to precisely control water temperature. The device was “direct in action,” extended the service life and used a “valve seat with a sliding closure member”. These components continue to serve as a foundation for Hydro-Thermal’s direct steam injection technology today.
1931 DSI manufactured for paper mills
Manufacturing industrialist, Harry Schauer brought this technology to paper mills in the early 1930s. Through collaboration with chief engineers from Kimberly-Clark, they applied the equipment to heat byproducts for cooking in digesters, recaustization, atomizing, and providing accurately controlled hot water. The heater became the heat catalyst in these chemical reactions and became known as the Hydroheater™, which was first manufactured in 1934.
1934 Hydroheater invented
1963 1st Hydroheater patent approved
Since 1934 Hydro-Thermal has held patents on our steam heating technology. A harbinger of innovation, Hydro-Thermal currently holds more than a dozen active patents that are registered in multiple foreign countries. We also have four patents pending on new heater technologies, and are named in over 40 process patents. Our products are specified in systems developed by leading system integrators and are tied to over 60 of these off-shoot product patents.
1964 Zaiser family purchases business, renames it Hydro-Thermal
In 1964 the Zaiser family purchased the business and renamed it Hydro-Thermal Corporation. Donald Zaiser operated the company at its Wauwatosa, Wisconsin location on 70th and State Street. Companies like ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), Cargill, Cerestar, Corn Products Company, and Grain Processing Corporation used the Hydroheater for integrated corn-based sugar production.
1968 Hydro-Thermal purchases WIZARD Drum Tool Co.
1972 K400 Hydroheater invented
1979 2nd generation of Zaiser ownership / Gary Zaiser
Gary Zaiser began the second generation of ownership in 1979. With his Mechanical Engineering degree from Cornell University, the company expanded applications to grain based ethanol at Andersons, Badger State Ethanol, Flint River, and VeraSun, and the chemical industry at Ashland Chemical, EI DuPont, PCS Phosphates, and PPG Industries. Hydro-Thermal grew in business, building its facilities in Waukesha, Wisconsin and grew in knowledge through university partnerships to generate fundamental research in steam heating.
1985 ATTEC systems launched
1991 Sanitary Hydroheater invented
1995 Moved to current location in Waukesha, WI
1996 K500 Hydroheater invented
2000 Expansion into international market
2001 Solaris Hydroheater invented
2003 K500 Autopilot invented
2004 ISO Certification Achieved
2005 EZ Heater Hydroheater invented
2010 Awarded WI Manufacturer of the Year
2010 EZ Skid systems launched
2011 Governor’s Export Achievement Award
2011 Infuze Heater invented
WI Family Business of the Year-Grand Award
K600 Hydroheater invented
Seven Seals Award and Certificate of Recognition
K600 Autopilot invented
Won Top 10 Business of the Year Award
Won IQ (Innovation Quotient) Award
SilverLine system launched
Won President’s E Award for Exports
Future 50 Company
Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Finalist
2016 WI Manufacturer of the Year
2016 Corporate Partner Award, WEF
Fastest Growing Firm Winner
Governor’s Export Achievement Award
Platts Global Metals Award Finalist
APICS Company of the Year
President’s eStar Award for Exports Winner
Launches International Office-Lyon, France
Non-Obstructive Heater (NOH) launched
About Hydro-Thermal
Explore our website to learn more about Hydro-Thermal products, direct steam injection technology, where our products work and more.
Our Products