The company has been innovating in UV technology since the 1920s and pledges ongoing commitment to customer-focused innovation
Nuvonic, a global UV technology solutions provider, commemorates its 100th year of unwavering commitment to excellence. Formerly known as Hanovia, the company has been a stalwart in UV science since its inception in the 1920s, and its century-long journey is a testament to innovation and adaptability.
Founded in Slough, Berkshire, U.K., in 1924, Hanovia started manufacturing UV lamps for medical applications. Since then, the company has consistently been at the forefront of UV science. Over the years, Hanovia evolved into one of the world’s leading UV lamps and systems manufacturers, contributing to industries such as food and beverage processing, pharmaceuticals, brewing, electronics, and aquaculture.
Over the decades, Nuvonic has undergone a transformative journey marked by strategic milestones and industry leadership. In 1981, Nuvonic became part of Halma plc, laying the foundation for future growth. The subsequent years witnessed important developments, such as Berson’s integration into the Halma family in 1986 and Berson’s groundbreaking introduction of the InLine model of UV systems in 1995. In 2017, Hanovia, Berson, and Aquionics united under a single management team, fortifying their position in the UV technology landscape. The year 2021 saw Orca joining Halma, further strengthening the collective expertise. In 2022, these four entities converged under the innovative banner of Nuvonic, reflecting a unified commitment to excellence.
“Reaching our hundredth year is proof that Nuvonic has stayed strong, adapted, and kept delivering for our customers,” said Alex Langston, Managing Director of Nuvonic. “Our legacy, strong brand, and trust show we’ve been consistent. Thriving for a century means we’re always innovating and changing with the times. As industry leaders, we’ve shared our progress worldwide, weathered changes, and made a positive impact on our team, customers, and the business world.”
“As Nuvonic approaches its centennial milestone in 2024, we remain dedicated to being a reliable, seasoned, and customer-centric partner. With a century of expertise at the forefront of UV science, we understand what it takes to meet customer needs across diverse industries and we will continue to explore breakthroughs in UV technology to improve people’s health and safety,” added Alex.
Nuvonic’s Timeline Highlights
- 1924 The British Hanovia Quartz Lamp Co Ltd is founded in Slough, holding various patents and manufacturing rights across the British Empire.
- 1925 The company starts manufacturing UV lamps for medical and other applications.
- 1927 Hanovia extends its operations overseas, appointing distributors in Australia, India, and New Zealand.
- 1928 UV ‘artificial sunlight’ receives significant press coverage and front page news due to the work Hanovia was doing for medical applications.
- 1931 Hanovia starts publishing The Quartz Lamp, a quarterly journal reproducing the best articles in the field of actinotherapy.
- 1934 The company acquires land in Slough and begins building its own office and factory premises, which are opened in 1935.
- 1935 The company is renamed Hanovia Limited.
- 1936–1939 These years see the development of an entirely new range of therapeutic lamps and a series of laboratory models based on a new UV ‘arc tube.’
- 1939 The company introduces ‘low pressure’ mercury discharge tubes for bactericidal irradiation.
- 1939–1945 Hanovia manages to retain its unique team of specialists and continues operation as an ‘Essential Establishment.’
- 1942 The company designs ‘high pressure’ UV arc tubes for use in high speed photo printing.
- 1949 By now, food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers across Europe are using Hanovia’s UV technology for bacterial disinfection.
- 1950 The ‘Biscayne’ domestic sunlamp is launched.
- 1955 The company introduces a portable fluorescent UV lamp for actinotherapy.
- 1960 A domestic room heater is launched.
- 1981 Hanovia is acquired by Halma plc, a FTSE 250 company with subsidiaries around the world, focusing on hazard detection, life protection, personal and public health improvement and environmental protection.
- 1983 Aquionics begins operation as Hanovia’s North American sales, marketing and service arm.
- 1986 Berson becomes a Halma company and Aquionics incorporates the UV products from Berson.
- 1995 Berson invents the InLine model of UV systems, the first of its kind.
- 1998 Orca GmBH is founded in Cologne, Germany.
- 2014 Orca GmBH begins production of UVpro systems.
- 2017 Hanovia, Berson, and Aquionics combine to become a single operator under one management team.
- 2021 Orca becomes a Halma company.
- 2022 The four companies move under one innovative name: Nuvonic.
About Nuvonic:
Nuvonic is a global UV technology solutions provider and part of the Halma Group. With a mission to support nature’s purity with science by protecting people and processes from harmful contamination while continuously innovating and improving, Nuvonic offers the most comprehensive range of UV-based solutions for water, surface, and air disinfection backed by a century of combined experience and expertise. Nuvonic’s four combined UV innovators offer chemical-free full-facility disinfection through the innovative application of UV technology, providing a unique value proposition for UV market professionals. For more information, visit www.nuvonicuv.com.
