History & Legacy
35+ YEARS IN AIR & GAS TREATMENT
As a pioneering force in the industry for more than 3 decades, our legacy was built on a foundation of innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction. Over the years, we have consistently delivered exceptional products and challenged the ideas of our industry, leading to unmatched innovation. We are proud to have nurtured the trust and loyalty of countless customers throughout the years.
Our legacy is one of adaptability, as we constantly evolve to meet the ever-changing landscape of the market. As we forge ahead into the future, our legacy remains firmly rooted in our core values of integrity, innovation, and quality.
The Early Years
While the modern air treatment industry is a sleek and well-refined operation (as compressors require immense manpower and engineering to function) the air treatment industry landscape Mike Zarif entered in the 1980’s was a “wild west” of sorts.
1989 - 1992
- In 1987, after graduating with a PHD in engineering, Mike Zarif became a research engineer at the University of Tennessee Space institute. After giving a lecture, Mike was approached by a small family-owned air treatment manufacturer, “Pioneer,” who wanted to partner with him to engineer and innovate air & gas treatment products.
- In 1989, Pioneer moved its Michigan based plant to Tennessee, where Mike began developing new ways of drying and purifying compressed air through refrigeration and desiccants. After 3 years, with multiple patents and innovations, Mike took a small family-owned company to a multimillion-dollar manufacturer in air treatment.
*Many of these innovations such as the use of steam compression angle body piston valves on desiccant regenerative dryers are used as the standard today.
- Mike and other colleges decided to take their talents and create their own air treatment companies.
1992 - 1993
- In early 1992, Excell was born. As an air treatment manufacturer focused on in-house design and distribution of compressed air refrigerated dryers.
- Excell established the foundation and spirit of our legacy and culture.
- Introduced (Excel -Non-Cycling Refrigerated Dryer series) 10 to 500 CFM
1994 - 2006
- The creation of Aircel Corporation was the byproduct of the success of Excell’s technological design of products.
- In 1994 Excell was rebranded, and Aircel Corporation was born. Over the years, Aircel Corp. would become a leading player of air & gas treatment manufacturing products.. With focuses on desiccant, refrigerated, and gas dryers in addition to filtration purification and cooling systems for compressed air.
2004
- In 2004 Aircel Corporation celebrated 10 years of business.
- Introduced patented technologies
- Variable Flow Heat exchanger
- Oil Water Separator
- Shell Tube Heat Exchanger
- Introduced Nitrogen Generation Tire Inflation System
2008
- Nortek Compressed Air & Gas is established.
2009 - 2011
- In 2009, Nortek and Belair Purification Solutions joined together to establish Nortek Belair Air & Fluid Technologies.
- The partnership brought Belair’s exclusive north American rights for refrigerated and filter lines from an Italian based air treatment company
2012
- Nortek decides to rebrand and changes its name from “Nortek Belair” to Nortec Compressed Air & Gas.
- Nortec partners with an air treatment manufacture to design and manufacture a full line of refrigerated, and desiccant compressed air dryers specifically engineered for mass manufacturing in the private label market.
- Introduces Mounted Filtration as standard on heatless dryers, making them the first to integrate mounted filtration into the manufacturing design.
2018
- Celebrated a decade in business.
- Introduced the First generation of the NRD-SS Stainless Steel refrigerated Dryer line.
- In an industry where technology is rapidly growing Nortec Implemented touch screen “HMI” and “PLC” as standard in their heatless dryers.
- This feature expanded its capabilities and communication with compressors, (a first in the industry)
2022
- In 2022, Mike Zarif purchased the assets of Nortec’s air & gas treatment manufacturing and Xebec’s North American R&D division and formed Next Air & Gas.
- Partners with Clean Resources as a premier distributor.
- In 2023, Next expands manufacturing capabilities with the addition of a 2nd manufacturing facility.
- Partners with ATS North America to design and manufacturer a full line of compressed air refrigerated dryers.
