A proud history of firsts
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities have benefited in particular from our continuing commitment to research and development. Here's a quick zip through Rada history, majoring on our proud record of industry firsts.
1873
Kohler founded in Wisconsin in 1873
1921
James MacFarlane Walker and Walter William Crossweller found Walker Crosweller & Co. in London and soon after becomes the UK distributor for the Leonard range of thermostatic mixing valves.
1937
Walker Crosweller secures the licensing rights to fabricate Leonard valves and establishes a manufacturing base in Cheltenham, England, where our products are still made to this day.
1950
The company persuades the UK Ministry of Education to specify temperature-controlled washing facilities, and Leonard thermostatic mixing valves become standard equipment for showers in schools, hospitals, and industry.
1967
Branch offices open in the United States and Canada, extending capabilities throughout North America.
1969
Walker Crosweller becomes the first UK company to install an acoustic chamber to meet new German Standards designed to measure noise generated by mixing valves.
1971
Walker Crosweller becomes the first member of Reed International, a multinational company with strength in the building products industry.
1979
Walker Crosweller launches revolutionary design of thermoscopic mixing valves, winning a design award for thermoscopic technology at the 1979 Batimat Building Exhibition in Paris, France.
1979
The Mira brand name is extended to cover all mixing valve and flow control products marketed in the UK - replacing Leonard, while the Rada brand is introduced for commercial and export markets.
1982
New production facility for electric showers is completed in Cheltenham, doubling capacity.
1985
Walker Crosweller is acquired by Caradon Limited.
1986
Company changes its name to Caradon Mira Limited.
1988
Meynell Ltd of Wolverhampton is acquired, a brand with its own strong heritage.
1990
Electronic timed flow controls are added to Rada’s commercial product range via the acquisition of Meltronic BV in Holland.
1995
The world’s first thermostatic electric shower, the Mira Advance, is launched with 8.7kW and 9.8kW versions and 5 memory variants. Rada 215, 222 and Exact Thermostatic Mixing Valves are launched, featuring the world’s first ‘sealed for life’ thermostatic cartridge employing the patented ‘Radatherm’ technology.
1996
The UK’s first thermostatic tap - Rada Thermotap - is introduced.
1998
Patented Radatherm ‘sealed for life’ thermostatic cartridge technology is introduced into the Rada 320 3/4” multi-point shower valve.
1998
Launch of Rada Pulse Central Washroom Control System, with hand held programmer, for optimum control of water usage by washbasins, showers and urinals.
2001
Radatherm technology range extension is complete with the launch of the Rada 425-t3 c 1” multi-point valve. Sale of Mira Showers and Alstone Shower Cubicles to US-based Kohler Company returns Mira to private ownershipCaradon Mira Limited becomes Kohler Mira Limited.
2003
UK’s first all-in-one surgical basin tap and thermostatic mixing valve range, Rada Unatherm-3, is TMV3 approved.
2004
Rada Autotherm-3 BSM is first ever TMV3 approved thermostatic bath/shower mixer.
2005
Launch of Rada Sense, the world’s first digital thermostatic mixing valve for commercial applications, with no-touchcontrol of both flow and temperature adjustment. These mixing valves are ideal for bathing and bath/shower applications. They are also suitable for applications where temperature accuracy is critical, such as birthing pools.
2007
Launch of Rada anti-ligature showerhead and sensor additions to Rada Pulse for secure sectors.
2008
Launch of Rada Tripoint™ tap to the UK market; the most accurate, dependable infra-red System.
2008
Rada DRV80 launched, world’s first digital re-circulating water temperature control valve, designed specifically to be the primary water temperature controller in a continuously pumped circulating hot water system in a commercial building.
2009
Rada Acu launched, the world’s first digital mixing valve designed specifically for healthcare applications, offeringnon-touch control for flow and temperature adjustment, automatic duty flushing and supervised thermal disinfection.
2010
Rada’s all-in-one surgical basin tap and thermostatic mixing valve range updated with Rada Safetherm.
2012
Rada Outlook launched, first digital thermostatic mixing valve capable of providing precise temperature and flow duration across any configuration of six showers or washbasins.
2014
To enhance the Rada Sense range, the creation of a unique information recording and monitoring upgrade.
2015
Rada launches an enhanced Service proposition and extended warranty.