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 colleagues 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 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 & design.
Over the years Aircel Corp. would become a leading player of air & gas treatment manufacturing & design. With focuses on desiccant, refrigerated, and gas dryers in addition to filtration purification and cooling systems for compressed air.
1994 - 2006
During this Era of our legacy, many current key engineers and protégé’s joined the team. Rapid growth and success in the market led to a move to a state of the art 25,000 sqft manufacturing facility
- Introduced patented technologies
- Variable Flow Heat exchanger
- Oil Water Separator
- Shell Tube Heat Exchanger
2004 - 2005
- Aircel Corporation Celebrates a decade of business.
- In 2005, Aircel Corporation launches Fork Air Control system.
2008
- Nortek Compressed Air & Gas is established.
2009 - 2011
- In 2009 Nortek and Belair Purification Solutions Joined together to create 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.
2009 - 2011
- Nortek decides to rebrand and changes its name from “Nortek Belair” to Nortec Compressed Air & Gas.
- Nortec partners with an air treatment manufacturer to design and manufacture a full line of refrigerated, and desiccant compressed air dryers specifically engineered for mass manufacturing in the OEM market.
- Introduces Mounted Filtration as standard on heatless dryers, making them the first to integrate mounted filtration into the manufacturing design.
2014 - 2016
- Nortec moves into 80,000 sqft facility.
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).
2020 - 2022
- Nortec was purchased and subsequently split into two separate divisions: air treatment manufacturing and R&D.
- R&D division designs Nitrogen generator for North American market
2022
In 2022 Mike Zarif purchased Nortec’s air treatment manufacturing and Xebec’s North American R&D division assets and formed Next Air & Gas.
“Our legacy and future are one of adaptability and technological advancement. Next Air & Gas aims to continuously evolve to meet the ever-changing landscape of the market.”
Kevin F. Zarif
