History of Innovation

History of Innovation
Innovation is a way of life at Rytec. From the first high-speed folding door to the first high-speed hurricane-zone door, Rytec innovations are the result of proprietary know-how backed up by years of experience. Our in-house engineers conceive and develop doors in a process of continuous improvement. Beyond integrated research and development, we have more doors in more diverse environments in the U.S. and Canada than any other manufacturer. This hands-on experience gives power to our discovery and innovation process. It enables us to continiously respond, develop and test new technologies in the real world. Rytec’s rich history of innovation and patented technologies lead the entire industry and make higher performance possible.

Pioneering History Time Line
The fact is Rytec innovations drive the door industry. Tracking Rytec’s pioneering history is like tracking the history of the high-speed door itself.

1985

First Fast-Fold®
Rytec established the viability of the high-speed door concept in the United States.

1986

First Fast-Fold® Freezer Door
Having introduced the first high-speed folding door in the U.S., Rytec applied the Fast-Fold® to coolers and then freezers.

1989

First Counter-Weighted Roll Door
To eliminate springs associated with roll doors, Rytec Developed the patented System II™ counter balance and tensioning system.

1990

First Break-Away™ Bottom Bar
To minimize costly repairs and door downtime, Rytec introduced the first Break-Away™ bottom bar, that permitted the door to take a hit, and be reset without tools in seconds.

1991

First Roll Door for Freezers
Rytec introduced the Fast-Seal®, the first roll door for freezer applications.

1992

First Heated Blower Defrost System
Rytec introduced the first two-speed, heated blower defrost system for Fast-Fold® Freezer doors.

1994

First Direct Drive Roll Door for Coolers
Rytec introduced the PredaDoor®, the first low-cost, direct drive roll door for cooler applications.

1995

First Ultra High-Speed Roll Door for Freezers
Rytec introduced the Turbo-Seal®, the first ultra high-speed roll door that opens at 100 inches per second for freezer and cooler applications.

1996

First Padded Bottom Bar
To provide additional safety at the threshold, Rytec introduced the first padded bottom bar for cold storage and industrial applications.

1998

First USDA Compliant Roll Door
To meet sanitary design requirements of meat and poultry processing facilities, Rytec introduced the Clean-Roll® the first and only USDA/FDA compliant roll door.



First High Speed/High Security in Single Door
Rytec introduces the Spiral door®, a commercial door that combines, speed aesthetics and rigid-door security all in one door.

2000

First Light Curtain Safety System
To provide added safety in openings with pedestrian traffic, Rytec was the first to offer a light curtain safety system with its roll doors.

2001

First Bi-Parting, Self-Repairing Freezer Door
Rytec offered the Arctec®, the first self-repairing, one-door solution for cooler and freezer applications.

2002

First Integrated, Self-Diagonostic AC Drive Controller
Rytec offered the System 3®, the first integrated, self-diagnostic AC Drive and door controller.

2005

First High-Speed/High Performance Pharmaceutical Doors
Engineered to meet cGMP guidelines, Rytec introduced Pharma-Doors as the industry’s tightest sealing, most reliable doors for pharmaceutical and clean room applications.

2006

First High-Speed/High Performance Door for Hurricane Winds
Rytec introduced the Spiral Hurricane Zone (HZ) door, the first high-speed door certified to withstand category-four hurricane force winds.

2007

First High-Speed Self-Repairing Roll Door
Rytec introduced the Turbo-Seal Self-Repairing (SR) door, the first high-speed, high performance roll door engineered to take a hit from either direction, instantly release and automatically reset itself-- without any downtime, human interaction or damage to the door.