The Global Leader in Residential Indoor Air Quality

Broan-NuTone leads the industry with forward-thinking residential ventilation products, customized climate, indoor air quality solutions, and award-winning customer service. Headquartered in Hartford, Wisconsin, Broan-NuTone employs over 2,500 people across its manufacturing facilities. In 2018, Broan-NuTone LLC and Venmar Ventilation ULC merged to become one company.
 
Venmar Ventilation ULC has led Broan-NuTone's Canadian sales and has represented Broan, NuTone, BEST, Venmar, and vänEE. This representation provides a diverse range of products meticulously designed to meet the requirements of various energy-efficient building programs.


BROAN-NUTONE: ALIGNED INNOVATION FROM THE VERY BEGINNING
Our journey of excellence dates back to the early 1930s when two aggressive young men emerged from the Great Depression with two new products that would significantly contribute to the housing industry. In 1932, Henry Broan introduced the Motordor® Fan, a groundbreaking solution for quiet and efficient kitchen ventilation. His creation launched what is today Broan-NuTone LLC. Four years later, J. Ralph Corbett developed a doorbell, leading to the launch of NuTone Inc. Both companies began with humble origins but shared a vision of improving homes across North America.


From inventors to entrepreneurs!
Both men started their companies with a simple product and a few employees. Each expanded their companies, creating revolutionary new products that improved indoor air quality and quality of life in homes across North America.
 
Both were headquartered in the Midwest, and both were quickly becoming global companies.
 
From the beginning, it was inevitable that their paths would cross as they both saw the need for an increasing number of built-in home conveniences, including bathroom exhaust fans, range hoods, heater/fan/light combination units, central cleaning systems, medicine cabinets, and intercom systems.
 
Competition sparked increased innovation, and innovation resulted in superior products for consumers.
 
In 1981, Broan Mfg. Co., Inc. was acquired by Nortek, Inc., becoming the flagship company within Nortek's Residential Building Products Group, later named the Broan Group. During this period, NuTone found new ownership by Williams plc in 1991.
 
In 1998, Nortek acquired NuTone, merging it into the Broan Group and rebranding the collective entity as the Broan-NuTone Group. By January 2000, Broan Mfg. Co., Inc. officially transitioned into Broan-NuTone LLC, now encompassing subsidiaries like NuTone Inc., Aubrey Manufacturing, Inc., and Rangaire LP.
 
In 2016, the Melrose Group made the significant acquisition of Nortek, with the Canadian team hosting three Centers of Excellence for air exchangers, kitchen ventilation, and central vacuums.


VENMAR VENTILATION
Venmar Ventilation ULC, founded in 1978, initially served as a distributor of turbine vents for prefabricated and mobile homes. However, it quickly transitioned into the manufacturing of advanced ventilation systems. In 1995, Broan-NuTone LLC acquired Venmar, and throughout this journey, it has maintained its entrepreneurial culture. Today, Venmar Ventilation ULC stands proudly among the premier North American manufacturers of residential indoor air quality products. More than 350 dedicated employees work tirelessly to uphold the highest quality standards. Their commitment to innovation is powerfully expressed through their various product lines, including central air exchangers, range hoods, and attic ventilators. The acquisition by Broan-NuTone in 1995 provided substantial investments in research and development. It also allowed employees to hone their expertise within a continually expanding company.
 
Significant milestones have marked Venmar's journey through the years:
 
In 1978, Venmar commenced production of attic turbine vents, pioneering ventilation by extraction.
 
Between 1981 and 1983, Venmar introduced its first mechanical ventilators, the Econair 100 and Econair 25.
 
In 1985, the company expanded its product line by introducing air exchangers.
 
By 1990, Venmar had launched a line of heat recovery ventilators.
 
In 1991, Venmar broadened its reach by introducing a product line tailored for the specialized installer network.
 
Venmar's diversification continued in 1993 as the company began manufacturing unique range hoods.
 
1995 marked a significant turning point as Venmar joined Nortek, aligning with a multinational corporation comprising 12,200 employees across 23 companies worldwide, providing access to international markets.
 
In 1996, Innergy Tech emerged, specializing in energy recovery technologies.
 
In 1997, Venmar expanded its product offerings by introducing attic ventilators.
 
In 1998, Venmar renewed its range of devices for the specialized installer network.
 
Venmar achieved ISO 9001 certification in 1999, a testament to its commitment to quality and standards.
 
The year 2000 brought about significant changes, including relocating the range hood plant and the distribution center.
 
In 2001, Venmar extended its product range by launching the HEPA product line for the retail network.
 
In 2005, Venmar introduced Constructo 1.0 air exchangers tailored for condominiums and apartments.
 
2008 witnessed the introduction of the Venmar Jazz range hood line, adding a touch of style to their product portfolio.
 
By 2011, Venmar had expanded to offer a line of compact, economical air exchangers for small residences named Kubix. They also launched a new line of modern and design range hoods, Ispira.
 
In 2013, Venmar unveiled the new EVO5 air exchanger platform, showcasing its commitment to innovation.
 
In 2014, Venmar introduced the S Series, featuring ultra-slim air exchangers designed for high-rise residential towers.
 
In 2015, Venmar continued its mission to enhance residential air quality by launching new central vacuums.
 
At Broan-NuTone, we are dedicated to redefining the standards of residential indoor air quality, ensuring that your home is a place of comfort, health, and well-being. Our legacy of innovation and commitment to quality sets us apart in the industry, and we look forward to continuing our journey of excellence.


VÄNEE
The vänEE story begins in 1980 with Rick Olmstead founding Conservation Energy Systems Inc. However, the origins of the vänEE product start with the energy crisis of the early 1970s that created concerns about energy security in North America.
 
Those concerns led to the research and development of the first super-insulated homes and an appreciation for the indoor air quality issues created as we built homes with significantly less air leakage. Traditionally, houses are dry during winter due to excessive air leakage, so humidification is required for comfort and health. Once air-sealed, homes retain moisture and unhealthy contaminants, making controlled ventilation for the occupants' health and the building's security a necessity.
 
The University of Saskatchewan developed plans for an air-to-air heat exchanger built of plywood and plastic sheeting based on the heat exchanger made for the Regina Conservation House. It soon became the standard product for high-performance builders who would build one for each home. However, finding suitable fans, ductwork, and controls led to inconsistent performance. While building super-insulated homes in Saskatoon in the late 1970s, Rick and others recognized the need for a smaller, more effective ventilation system with excellent heat recovery.
Dirk vänEE, who had extensive experience from his work with the University of Saskatchewan Engineering Department, joined with Rick to develop a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) that would be small enough to be easily transported, light enough to be moved into basements, and with excellent ventilation and heat recovery performance.
 
The vänEE R200 was introduced in the summer of 1981 and featured double cross-flow heat exchange modules with externally mounted fans and controls. The R200 provided industry-leading, excellent ventilation and heat recovery. Units were shipped across Canada and into several US states until being replaced by the vänEE R2000 in 1985.
 
The R2000 revolutionized HRV product design in North America with heat recovery modules, fans, motors, controls, and defrost inside a single insulated case. This design format became the standard for all future vänEE products. It led the North American ventilation industry to adopt similar designs.
 
The unique defrost system, FrostBuster, provided for the first time, allowed reliable defrost even in the coldest weather while using a minimum amount of energy. Installers and homeowners had reliable ventilation performance for the first time in all weather conditions. 
 
Mounting the fans and motors inside the cabinet captured the heat energy of the motors in the air streams, improving efficiency. Internal air filters cleaned the outside air and kept the heat recovery module. A hinged, removable door provided easy access for maintenance and service. The vänEE R1000 soon followed with larger units for indoor swimming pools, portable classrooms, and small commercial and institutional spaces.
 
The vänEE team recognized that it was not enough to have the best products. Standard performance testing methods and installation guidelines were required before the building industry fully embraced the value of heat recovery ventilation. The vänEE team joined with its competitors to develop CSA standards that have become the basis for all performance certifications provided by HVI – the Home Ventilating Institute in North America. 
 
Fortunately, this hard work attracted visionary, hard-working people throughout North America who saw the developing opportunity. Through their efforts, the vänEE brand became the leader in North America. The history of the vänEE brand is one of amazing people who shared a vision of creating quality products that provide innovative solutions to indoor air quality problems.
 
With continuous innovation, attention to detail, quality construction in every way, and listening to the customers – builders, HVAC contractors, and homeowners vänEE has been leading the ventilation industry for over three decades and is well-established in Quebec and elsewhere. The products created have become legendary for their performance, reliability, and long service. We are proud to make products that provide better air for a better life.