Leading the Way Forward: Marking 90 Years of TEC
Ninety years is a significant milestone for any business. For TEC, it is an opportunity to reflect on where we have come from and, more importantly, to be clear about where we are going.
Foundations Built on Expertise
TEC was founded in 1936, when my grandfather moved to Ireland from the Netherlands and saw an opportunity to build a business rooted in technical expertise and practical problem-solving. In its early years, TEC operated across several areas, including a foundry and electrical switchgear manufacturing. Like many industrial businesses of that era, it evolved by responding to the needs of a changing economy.
A defining moment came in the 1950s, as Ireland experienced an industrial boom. Spotting a gap in the market, the business began importing industrial hoses and fittings, a move that would shape TEC’s direction for decades to come. When my father joined the company in the early 1970s, that focus deepened further, eventually leading to TEC becoming a specialist supplier and trusted partner to customers operating in demanding, safety-critical environments.
The TEC Way
Over the years, ownership structures, markets and technologies have changed. What has not changed is the way TEC approaches its work. Quality, compliance and reliability have always mattered. Doing things properly, the TEC Way, even when it takes longer, has been fundamental to earning trust.
Today, TEC looks very different from the company that was founded almost a century ago. We are no longer simply supplying products; we are delivering solutions. Customers increasingly rely on us for engineered hose assemblies, testing, certification and lifecycle management in sectors where failure is not an option.
Innovation Driving the Business Forward
Innovation is central to that shift. We are investing in new products and services designed to meet emerging customer needs, from solutions for the data centre sector to dual-containment hoses for chemical dosing in the water industry, to innovations such as the TECOIL II oil reel for tanker applications. Alongside this, we are developing more value-added services, including hose testing and managed hose programmes, helping customers improve safety, compliance and operational performance.
Sustainability is also becoming a defining part of our future. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact, progressing towards ISO 14001 certification and leading in lower CO₂-per-metre solutions where materials, design and supply chains allow. This is not about slogans; it is about making practical, measurable improvements that matter to our customers and our industry.
Building the Next Chapter
As we look ahead, TEC’s ambition is clear. We intend to grow, responsibly and strategically, by expanding into new markets, including the US and parts of Europe, while continuing to deepen our presence in Ireland and the UK. That growth will be underpinned by investment in our people, our systems and our capability, ensuring we remain a dependable partner as customer requirements become more complex.
Marking 90 years is a moment of pride for everyone associated with TEC, past and present. But longevity only has value if it is matched by progress. Our history gives us perspective and confidence; our focus is firmly on building a business that continues to lead, adapt and add value in the years ahead.
I would like to thank our employees, customers and partners who have been part of TEC’s journey so far. The next chapter is already taking shape, and it is one I am very excited about.
Simon van Lonkhuyzen
Chief Executive Officer, TEC
