Who are we?

1947

Who are we?

We're Zip. With offices all over Australia and global offices in the UK and US, and a host of award-winning products to boot, we've become the market leader for drinking water solutions. 

Born in Sydney, we started out in 1947 manufacturing kitchen and bathroom heaters. We were small-time makers in a big-time market, but with hard work, dedication, and a whole heap of innovation, we made water… cooler.

1962

In the beginning

While we put our success down to dedication, innovative ideas, and hard work, it was one man’s vision that ultimately changed Zip for good.

Michael Crouch AO acquired us when we were just a small manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom heaters. But, like all good businessmen, he saw something valuable in us. He saw potential.

Right away, he set about expanding Zip’s operations, developing several world-first innovations in the process.

1965

No time to waste

Why stick with kitchen and bathroom heaters? During the 1960s, that question was ringing in our mind.

We got to work making over-sink boiling water heaters for outside the home: canteens, restaurants, factories, office kitchens, you name it. It changed the way we did business. And it changed the way people drank water.

1970

The world’s first boiling water

In 1970, we installed the world’s first boiling water tap via an under-sink pressurised cylinder. It changed the drinking water game forever… all in an instant.

1980

On-wall instant water heaters

We kept up the momentum, introducing the first energy-efficient on-wall instant boiling water heater and a space-saving alternative we called the Miniboil. Both asked: Why settle for a kettle?

1985

Taps… down to a tea

The Zip Tea Tap. More impressive, though, is the fact it delivered water within one degree of boiling point at the touch of a button. Naturally, it became an Australian icon, even finding its way into the kitchens and Members’ offices of Parliament House.

2012

Time for the main event

Enter the Zip HydroTap®. We’re proud to call HydroTap our flagship product. But did you know we introduced the air-cooled under-bench filtered instant system back in 1996?

In 2012, we made it even better with the HydroTap All-In-One, allowing customers to enjoy filtered chilled, sparkling, and boiling water – plus unfiltered hot and cold – all from a single outlet. Subsequent generations introduced our market leading 0.2-micron filtration system, cementing HydroTap as the all-in-one tap of choice.

2015

Award-winning design

We took HydroTap to new heights in 2015 with three new contemporary designs – Arc, Cube, and Elite – and eight new platinum finishes, winning a Good Design Award in the process. 

A few years later we took home the prestigious Good Design Award Gold Accolade for the Zip Micro, a space-saving solution for smaller spaces. We’ve got quite the reputation in hydration.

2018

Pour over the options

Launched in 2018, the Zip HydroChill range marked a significant step in our journey to help businesses put an end to single-use plastics. Bye-bye bottled water, hello HydroChill.

2020

Contactless water in an instant

During the pandemic, operations all over the world ground to a sudden halt. But we never took our foot off the gas. We saw what was happening and got hands-on about hands-free. Thus the Touch-Free Wave, a 100% contactless drinking solution utilising smart infrared technology.

2021

The future of hydration

Our latest G5 technology delivers the best in convenience and cutting-edge design, powering our HydroTap range, including the new Classic Plus and UltraCare, and featuring an optimised aerator on select models. More bubbles? No troubles.

With UltraCare, we extended our commitment to making hygiene a high priority, developing a multi-barrier system to prevent and reduce Legionella transmission in health and aged care facilities.

2023

In the spotlight

Form, function, and finesse. Who said you can’t have it all? 

The Celsius Plus All-In-One Pull-Out proves them wrong. Launched in 2023, it’s the world’s first residential All-in-One tap, with the convenience of five water types, and a unique integrated hose system, delivering a snag-proof retractable pull-out sprayer, offering style, flexibility, and convenience to another level. Discover our state-of-the-smart range today.

2024

Our most eco-friendly HydroTap yet*

In 2024, we launched Zip HydroTap G5 now with a more eco-friendly refrigeration system using R290 refrigerant gas to deliver a 95% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP) compared to the previous refrigerant gas used.

​​The front facia of the command centre has been redesigned and also includes an integrated vent for enhanced air-cooling technology and optimised energy efficiency.

​ *when compared to preceding HydroTap models.​​