Aligned Innovation from the Very Beginning…

Innovation allowed two aggressive young men to emerge from the midst of the Great Depression with two new products that would make major contributions to the housing industry.

Henry L. Broan, in 1932, developed and manufactured a kitchen fan called the Motordor® Fan that provided quiet and efficient kitchen ventilation. His creation launched what is today Broan-NuTone LLC.

Four years later, in 1936, J. Ralph Corbett developed a melodious door chime replacing the obnoxious door buzzer of the time. His development launched what is today NuTone, Inc.

Both men started their companies with a simple product and a few employees. Each expanded their companies, creating revolutionary new products providing unmatched conveniences for homeowners nationwide.
Both were headquartered in the Midwest and both were quickly becoming global companies.

Customer service was key.

Customer service was always key to Henry Broan. According to his son, Jack Broan, his dad would sell bathroom heaters or fans by day and then at night put the heaters and fans together and put them in the trunk of his car to deliver the next day. “That’s where the strategy of fast delivery started,” commented Broan.

W.W. Grainger.

Among our early customers was W.W. Grainger, founder of the company which still bears his name and remains one of Broan-NuTone’s most important customers since 1947.