Zip Industries is an Australian manufacturer and distributor of industry-leading potable boiling and chilled filtered water delivery products - or instant hot water dispensers including the Zip HydroTap.
Zip began trading in Australia in 1947, using patented designs originating in New Zealand during the great depression years .[1]
Michael Crouch purchased the company in 1962 and in 1967 won the Hoover Award for Marketing [2][3], Halstead Press Australia 1967. Retrieved on 2010-04-22
Zip Industries (also known as Zip Heaters (Aust), trading in the UK as Zip Heaters (UK) and in New Zealand as Zenith Heaters is wholly owned by Crouch.
On 11 October 2009 Crouch was interviewed by journalist Kate Tozer for ABC TV's Inside Business] show, where they discussed the growth of the company. [4]
The company's products are installed in 20 houses of parliament and the Queen's kitchens at Buckingham Palace. [5]
Known principally for Instant Boiling Water, Zip was the first company to develop small instant boiling water heaters and sell them worldwide. The Australian organisation is seen as succeeding remarkably well in a complex, competitive environment by producing products that are high on intellectual content and by building and using strong linkages with clients.[6]
One of the first compact Instant Boiling Water heaters, the Zip MiniBoil is on permanent display at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, in the Australia Innovates exhibition.
Zip Industries sponsors charities such as The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Symphony of Australia Foundation.
Zip Instant Boiling Water taps are sometimes referred to as 'a Zippy' in the UK. This is most likely in reference to the Zippy character in the much-loved UK Children's TV series Rainbow.