Taco Comfort Solutions® is celebrating its 100 year anniversary and history while innovating for the future. Taco, a third-generation, family-owned company based in Cranston, RI, engineers and manufactures high-efficiency heating, cooling, and air quality comfort systems. Taco has sales and manufacturing locations in the United States, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Vietnam.
Founded by Elwood White in 1920 as the Thermal Appliance Company, Taco expanded under the leadership of White’s son, John Hazen White. As the company grew, the Thermal Appliance Company name was shortened to T-A-C-O, or Taco.
John Hazen White, Jr., or Johnny to those who know him, succeeded his father. Under his leadership, the Taco Family of Companies has grown dramatically. Johnny has carried his father’s vision forward, building innovative and dependable heating, cooling, and plumbing solutions. Taco has also been an industry leader through training, investing heavily in onsite, online, and field training programs.
In 2019, Johnny brought Cheryl Merchant on board as President to help drive the future growth of the company. Throughout Taco’s 100 years, the one factor that has remained constant is the White Family ownership. Johnny’s sons John III and Ben are actively involved in the company’s leadership.
“I think it’s so important and such a blessing to maintain ownership of the company within the White family. It allows us to make the right decisions to ensure the success of our employees, customers, and business partners,” said White, Jr.
The Taco Family of Companies includes Taco Comfort Solutions, Taconova, Hydroflo Pumps, Taco Italia, and Precision Investment Foundry Asia (PIFA).
