History

Thermacore has been investigating and testing thermal management solutions for nearly 40 years since it's founding in 1970.

In the beginning (Est., 1970)

Thermacore was founded on September 22nd, 1970 in North America, to pursue the development and commercialisation of heat pipe technology.  Early activities focused on R&D, exploring understanding, capabilities and applications of heat pipe technology in conjunction with the U.S Department of Energy, U.S Department of Defense and NASA.  Thermacore's first order was from US Air Force for heat pipe assemblies to cool electronics on C5A's.

The early years (1975 - 1988)

Thermacore gained experience in many areas of thermal management with continued research with the US Dept. of Energy and U.S Dept. of Defense and NASA. Orders varied from requests for highly advanced engineering solutions to applications like cooking pot roasts.  Developments such as a planar potassium heat pipe design improved hot plate heat transfer capabilities remarkably.

Growth and learning (1989 - 1993)

In 1989, Thermacore introduced one of the world's leading chip makers to the potential of using heat pipes to cool its latest generation chip.  Additionally, the company won new customers, contracts and merged into a relationship with Dynatherm. By 1992, product sales topped $1 million. Research partnerships saw Thermacore invest over $3 million in R&D expenditure.

Commercial opportunities (1994 - 1998)

Demand for the commercial laptop computer with high performance processors increased.  Thermacore grew to 100 employees and revenues of $5 million. Heat pipe production volume increased; 25,000 heat pipes in '93 became 200,000 in '96 and 1,000,000 in '98.

Market leaders in computing and electronics came to Thermacore to develop solutions for their cooling needs. Thermacore's continued research resulting in an influx of orders as each project developed.

Global expansion (1998 - 2002)

Annual revenues reached $23 million and employment reached 200. The company went global in 1998, buying Isoterix; a 25 man UK-based engineering and product development firm. Isoterix had a strong presence in the plastic mould cooling market and specialised in Mesh Heat Pipes.  This added a new asset to Thermacore's product portfolio and a manufacturing site outside of North America.

Thermacore Europe's expanded remit required a facility move in October 1999.  The plant was purpose built with extra land annexing the building for future expansion. Thermacore Europe quickly expanded with sales managers appointed in the UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden and France.

The Modine years (2002 - 2008)

Modine, an automotive based cooling solution manufacturer, bought Thermacore as their electronics cooling division. Modine initiated strong investments to the production side of Thermacore Europe, developing an effective capability to manage and produce complex machined parts on site. This allowed more control over all aspects of providing total solutions.

Thermacore refocused on Military, Medical and Telecom business markets, as their projects were becoming more aware of two phase heat pipe technologies beyond the high end loop heat pipes. This combined strong R&D projects with new manufacturing abilities to suit the demands of the markets.

Independence and the future (2008 - present)

New strategy indicated that Thermacore would be best served as a separate entity to Modine.  In 2008 Thermacore's management, led by CEO and American President Jerry Toth, bought Thermacore with a view to re-capture the self owned business model.