British Innovation & The Queen’s Award
There is only one British manufacturer in the water softening industry — and that means a great deal to us. In fact, it was one of the key reasons I accepted the role to run Harvey’s UK dealer network back in 2009.
In 2018, Harvey Water Softeners — the manufacturer of their biggest brand now in Europe - MiniMax — received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. It’s one of the highest recognitions a UK business can achieve, and it speaks volumes about the technological excellence and customer focus at the heart of every MiniMax softener.
The MiniMax, and the models that followed, were built specifically for the UK market. That means they’re suitable for every plumbing and heating system found in British homes. But more than that — Harvey has spent years engaging with UK regulators to ensure that our industry isn’t held back by outdated myths or influenced by foreign manufacturers with very different priorities.
They’ve led the way in helping to clarify key questions like:
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Is softened water safe to drink? (Yes — and we explain why.)
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Will softened water harm your boiler? (No — and we even guarantee that.)
Unlike other (foreign-owned) brands selling into the UK, Harvey Softeners actively support family-run businesses like ours, helping us grow by creating leads, improving service, and sharing in the mission to bring better water to every home. While others have pushed for more sales with less support, Harvey’s approach has always been to lift others up — not squeeze them.