Steam Expertise in Action
Co-Developing a High-Performance Steam Hose with Condair

Could you briefly introduce yourself and the company?
My name is Fabio De Conto, and I have been working in strategic procurement at Condair Group AG for more than nine years. We have production sites in Europe, North America, and China. Condair is a global leader in humidification, dehumidification and evaporative cooling.  


What are your key responsibilities at Condair Group related to Angst+Pfister?
I am responsible for supplier selection, especially in the areas of sealing technology, hoses, and connection elements. In this context, I serve as the direct contact person for our collaboration with Angst+Pfister, from the initial inquiry to technical coordination and series approval.


Amongst other products, Angst+Pfister supplies Condair with steam hose solutions. What triggered the search for a new steam hose solution initially?
We were faced with the challenge of revising our existing steam hose due to significant price increases from Angst+Pfister’s subcontractors. However, the requirements regarding service life, quality, and temperature resistance had to remain the same. Since we have known Angst+Pfister for years as a reliable partner who can provide us not only with standard components but also with customized solutions, we jointly developed a new solution for our products.


What made you choose Angst+Pfister over others?
What convinced us was the combination of deep technical expertise, a broad product range, and the ability to implement even complex requirements in close coordination. Particularly valuable were the proactive consulting and the quick response time to our inquiries.


Were there any challenges in the development of the new steam hose solution?
The new steam hose needed to meet the same requirements as the current one. Because we are represented worldwide, the price aspect was a major challenge. Together with Angst+Pfister’s development team, we were able to create a special solution based on high-performance materials.


How would you describe the collaboration?
We have been working with Angst+Pfister for over 20 years. They are a reliable partner, and we have already carried out solution-oriented projects together in the past. The long-standing partnership has always been collaborative and effective. Our contacts consistently responded quickly and expertly. 


How did the implementation of the new steam hose solution go?
The implementation was intensive and solution oriented. From the early development phase, we received comprehensive advice. Angst+Pfister supported us with samples and technical simulations, allowing us to conduct tests at an early stage.


What improvements have you seen since using the new steam hose solution?
By implementing the new components, we covered the entire value chain and distinguished ourselves from competitors.

Could you introduce yourself and explain your role at Condair Group?
My name is Christoph Germann, and I serve as the technical product manager for resistive steam applications at Condair. In this role, I act as a crucial link between our customers and our R&D department, ensuring we continuously improve our products based on real-world needs and feedback.
My position aligns closely with Condair's core values, as we're committed to supporting our customers throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial consulting and planning phases all the way through to ongoing maintenance. We pride ourselves on delivering tailored, science-based solutions that our customers can truly rely on.


How would you describe the partnership with Angst+Pfister?
What makes our relationship with Angst+Pfister particularly special is our nearly two decades of collaboration in developing sealings and hoses for our products. This long-standing partnership exemplifies how much we value reliable, long-term relationships with suppliers who share our commitment to developing sustainable solutions together. Working with partners like Angst+Pfister allows us to leverage combined expertise and continuously push the boundaries of what's possible in steam application technology.


What challenge were you facing when you reached out to Angst+Pfister?
The specific challenge we were facing involved the degradation of our steam hoses after prolonged use. We discovered that the inner lining of the hoses was decomposing over time, which led to unwanted deposits accumulating in the tanks and technical components of our devices. This was not only affecting product performance, but also potentially impacting the reliability our customers depend on. Given our company mission to design for energy and resource efficiency throughout the entire product lifecycle, simply replacing hoses as soon as decomposition set in wasn't an acceptable long-term solution. Our objective was to find a new hose formula that would offer significantly better quality and longevity, while remaining economically competitive. This challenge required a partner who could work with us to develop an innovative solution that would align with both our performance standards and our environmental commitments.


Were there special requirements that needed to be fulfilled?
Condair's ambition is to set itself apart from the competition by covering the entire value chain from pre-sales engineering to offering the widest product and tool portfolio in the market. This comprehensive approach means our products must meet exceptionally high standards across multiple dimensions. Our steam hoses needed to be certified for use with drinking water, capable of operating reliably in both indoor and outdoor applications and engineered for extended service lifetimes. In Angst+Pfister, we found a reliable partner who understands these high expectations and the stringent requirements our products demand. Their approach to quality and their willingness to work closely with us on developing the right solution aligned well with what we needed for this project.


How did the implementation process go?
The implementation process itself was characterized by close, iterative collaboration. Together, we developed and rigorously tested multiple promising alternatives, with both teams contributing their expertise to refine the solution. This wasn't a typical supplier-customer relationship where specifications are simply handed over. It was a true partnership where both sides were invested in achieving the best possible outcome.


Are there measurable results you can share?
The collaboration with Angst+Pfister has delivered exactly what we were hoping to achieve. Together, we successfully developed a new steam hose that offers improved quality compared to our previous product, while also being economically more competitive. Last year, we were able to release the latest version of our steam hoses on the market, helping our customers to enjoy even more worry-free operation of our steam generating devices. The elimination of the decomposition issues we were experiencing means fewer maintenance concerns and more reliable performance over the product's lifetime.


How has this changed your work overall?
From our perspective, this solution has strengthened our ability to deliver on our promise of supporting customers throughout the entire product lifecycle. We can now offer a more robust, longer-lasting component that aligns with our commitment to energy and resource efficiency, while maintaining the competitive positioning that's essential for our business success.