Excel Dryer Inc.

Excel Dryer, founded in 1963, has been manufacturing the finest American-made hand dryers for more than 50 years. Acquired by Denis Gagnon in 1997, the company remains family-owned and -operated, with a commitment to manufacturing Made in USA Certified products at the East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, headquarters. Best known for inventing the industry’s first high-speed, energy-efficient model – the XLERATOR hand dryer – Excel Dryer continues to lead the industry through innovation.

The New Industry Standard

When Gagnon took the helm at Excel Dryer, the industry was in need of “a better mousetrap.” People were frustrated with the 30-45 seconds it took to dry hands using conventional dryers. Gagnon spearheaded research and development that would change the public perception of hand dryers; he invented the patented XLERATOR technology that created the high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryer category. The XLERATOR dries hands completely three times faster than conventional hand dryers, and according to the industry’s first scientific white paper, left hands feeling “comfortable and warm after the drying process.” After releasing the XLERATOR, Excel Dryer redefined the industry standard. Since then, Excel Dryer has continued to lead the industry with firsts including new product innovations and credible, third-party testing.

Proven Performance, Reliability and Durability 

Environmental Building News (EBN) conducted an independent test on the XLERATOR hand dryer for its performance and energy efficiency, determining that XLERATOR uses 80 percent less energy than conventional hand dryers and even 100 percent recycled paper towels. The editors at EBN voted XLERATOR a Top Ten Product of 2002. Going even further, Excel Dryer was the first to perform a life-cycle analysis about environmental impact conducted by Quantis, an international LCA research firm. It was peer-reviewed to ISO 14040 standards and concluded that when compared to traditional electric hand dryers and paper towels – virgin and 100 percent recycled – XLERATOR reduces the carbon footprint of hand drying up to 75 percent.

Excel Dryer also teamed up with an independent testing company to prove the true performance of the XLERATOR- another industry first. Hand dryer performance is measured by dry time and energy use, other manufacturers have conducted testing, but not with independent, credible laboratories – buyers beware. The Independent testing proved XLERATOR performance is unrivaled and no other dryer can compare to the performance of the newly launched XLERATOReco hand dryer.

The Customer is Always Right

Independent research backs up Excel Dryer’s claims on its products, but customer feedback drives the company’s innovation, including the industry’s most options and complete line of accessories to build the best drying solution for any restroom environment: ADA-compliant solutions, including recess kits and the XChanger paper towel dispenser retrofit kit, a Noise Reduction Nozzle, for sound-sensitive environments, and custom digital image covers. Excel Dryer has the most cover finishes and was the first to offer customization used by top global brands that choose XLERATOR for their facilities because the company can customize a drying solution that is best for them. Adopters of custom digital image covers include Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, the New England Patriots and many more. The custom covers are also available with an environmental message.

LEEDing by Example

The Excel Dryer leadership team and colleagues practice what they preach. The corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility are LEED-CI Gold certified and Green Globes New Construction 1 Globe certified. Even the U.S. Green Building Council has adopted XLERATOR hand dryers, which have been featured in the organization’s headquarters for nearly a decade. Excel Dryer was not only the first hand dryer manufacturer to be a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, but was also the first to exhibit at the international Greenbuild trade show. Additionally, Excel Dryer was selected to be a partner and seed-sponsor of USGBC’s Center for Green Schools’ cause-marketing program, Green Apple.

Next Generation Green Restroom Design

Continuing a strong relationship with the USGBC, Excel Dryer has teamed with Penny Bonda of Ecoimpact Consulting to demonstrate the next generation of green restroom design at Greenbuild. Penny Bonda, “the mother of green interiors,” will lead tours of the USGBC headquarters featuring XLERATOR hand dryers, has planned a book signing of Sustainable Commercial Interiors, second edition, and will review a new CEU course that she co-authored with Excel Dryer, titled, “Next Generation Green Restroom Design.” This new course is AIA and GBCI approved and includes exclusive content about the latest advancement in green restroom design, the XLERATOR Integrated Sink System.

Excel Dryer continues to build momentum; learn more about the next generation of green building design at Greenbuild 2015.