They Didn’t Just Build Fans — MacroAir Invented the HVLS Revolution

They Didn’t Just Build Fans — MacroAir Invented the HVLS Revolution
When cooling a barn full of dairy cattle became a matter of survival, one California family didn’t wait for a solution—they invented one.

That challenge inspired the world’s first HVLS (High Volume, Low Speed) fan, a massive, energy-efficient air system that transformed the way large spaces move air. What began as an experiment to cool dairy cattle evolved into a worldwide standard for industrial and commercial comfort.

In this episode of Manufacturing Runs The World, host Justin Schnor sits down with Jaylin Krell of MacroAir Fans, whose family turned a simple idea into a billion-dollar industry category. From dairy barns to stadiums, from agriculture to aerospace facilities, MacroAir’s story proves that big innovation can come from small, family-run manufacturing roots.

Jaylin shares how her father and grandfather, Eddie and Walt Boyd, built the first HVLS fan prototype to solve an agricultural problem in scorching Southern California heat. Through trial, error, and relentless testing, they created a new way to cool massive environments with high-volume, low-speed air movement—a concept that changed the entire ventilation industry.

Over the years, MacroAir Fans has installed systems in warehouses, factories, churches, universities, and gyms around the world. From the University of Michigan’s athletic facilities to a gold-painted fan in Dubai, their fans now move air in some of the most unique and impressive locations on earth.

Yet despite the global growth, the company remains proudly family-owned. Jaylin discusses her journey from deburring metal parts in the shop as a kid to now helping lead the company into its next era of innovation—balancing handcrafted quality with lean manufacturing processes and modern automation.

The episode also explores how MacroAir developed the first direct-drive motor for HVLS fans—eliminating gearboxes for quieter, more reliable performance—and how they continue refining design for quieter, more efficient airflow across industries.

💡 Topics Covered:

• How a California family reinvented industrial cooling
• The origin story of the first HVLS fan
• Why high-volume, low-speed fans outperform traditional systems
• What makes MacroAir Fans unique in design and engineering
• From barns to stadiums: where industrial fans make the biggest impact
• How to balance automation and people in modern manufacturing
• Why family businesses still lead in American innovation

🌎 About MacroAir Fans

MacroAir is the original innovator of HVLS fan technology, delivering large-diameter, energy-efficient fans that improve comfort and reduce costs in warehouses, barns, factories, sports arenas, churches, schools, and restaurants.

Learn more → https://macroairfans.com

🎙 About Manufacturing Runs The World

Behind every machine is a person with a story. Manufacturing Runs The World dives into the people, technologies, and companies shaping the future of manufacturing, automation, and engineering.

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⚙️ Keywords & Search Topics

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