Our Story
Early years
Airdri founder Peter Philipps met fellow engineer Peter Allen in the early 1970s working as engineers at Smiths Industries where they specialised in developing hot air system products. After Smiths rejected their proposal to begin the design and manufacture of hand dryers – the engineers designed their first hand dryer – and left Smiths. In 1974, Airdri Ltd was born in Oxford.
Engineering diversification
In the early 1980’s Airdri began to explore automated sensor technology for its hand dryers. The technology was already being used extensively in the elevator industry and the appointment of an engineer with elevator experience enabled Airdri to both accelerate hand dryer development and, at the same time to diversify. In 1983, a subsidiary company, Formula Systems was launched, to provide elevator door protection and speech systems to major elevator companies. Formula Systems later opened a US office and warehouse in Chicago, and today both hand dryers and door protection and speech products are distributed throughout the US from the company’s Chicago base.
Expanding Internationally
The establishment of the Chicago hand dryer base further strengthened Airdri’s longstanding relationship with US Bobrick Inc., (the company’s inaugural major international partnership), which has endured for over four decades. In 2016, we opened our dedicated 30,000 sq ft production, warehouse, and administrative facility in Guangzhou, China. In recent years we have added an additional manufacturing contractor in Malaysia.
Quietly powerful sustainable dryers
The sustainability of our dryers matters to our customers, and the recognition of this has been a driving force in the business’s growth. Airdri hand dryers have earned the GreenSpec listing for their low carbon emissions, and achieved the Quiet Mark. Airdri was the first hand dryer company globally to receive the Quiet Mark in 2014, acknowledging its development of a dryer that met the noise level reduction standards set by the UK Noise Abatement Society. This recognition played a key role in shaping industry standards for sound level reduction, prompting other hand dryer manufacturers to follow suit. Today, we continue to lead the sector in the provision of low sound output hand dryers as well as the energy efficiency our customers expect. Our engineers created a 200-watt unit, setting a record for the lowest energy consumption hand dryer worldwide – and unparalleled product lifecycle. The dryer’s motor, tested against other popular jet dryer brands for longevity, was found to outlast them by over tenfold.
Hand Dryer Innovation
In 2024, Airdri introduced PowerDRI, our premier blade hand dryer featuring top-tier capabilities for superior hand drying.
With a power rating of just 0.8kW and a 10-second drying time, PowerDRI ensures quick and efficient hand drying, complemented by an integrated HEPA filter for enhanced washroom hygiene.
Joining the lineup, the CompactDRI and ComfortDRI models provide options for lower noise levels or a warm air output.
“For over 50 years, Airdri has been a pioneer in hand dryer innovation and technology. Our enduring philosophy is unchanged – to craft and produce highly dependable, quiet, and energy-efficient products. Each unit within our hand dryer range possesses distinct attributes, guaranteeing that irrespective of the dryer’s intended location, we can offer a suitable unit tailored to the environment.”
Bruce Philipps –
President & CEO
“Airdri is committed to maintaining innovation as the core of its business, ensuring ongoing advancements in cutting-edge washroom solutions for decades to come.”
Steve Whittall – Chief Operating Officer
