The Story
Patterson Fan Company (PFC) started as a side-line business to Solar Shield, Inc., a small business that manufactured and installed industrial roof cooling systems across the country. A Solar Shield customer needed a fan that could throw air a long distance. G. V. Patterson, having a background in ventilation, knew of a fan built back in the 50's that would do just that. Two fans were ordered and delivered to the customer. The customer immediately wanted to buy more.
G.V. "Pat" Patterson began making plans to become a distributor for those fans. His son, Vance, looked at the fan and said, "We can make that fan." Pat said, "No way! I don't want to get back into manufacturing." Vance knew his father well, and sure enough, two weeks later, Pat said, "You know Vance, we can make that fan." Parts were ordered to make 16 units, and with some modifications, a more advanced fan was introduced and sent out to other customers. Fan sales exploded past roof cooling sales and Pat described it as "having a tiger by the tail." Pat and Vance pushed everything on the table, including their houses (with their wives' blessings) in order to finance the growth of the new company - Patterson Fan. Within 5 years, at #160, Patterson Fan Company made the INC. 500 list for the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.
Today, PFC's philosophy on air movement has changed the mindset of how America's premier companies cool their distribution centers. Before PFC's revolutionary high-velocity blue fans were introduced, the only thing facility managers had to rely on for heat relief were typical cage-style fans. Cage fans provided little comfort, had a very limited range of airflow, and were plagued with high maintenance and replacement costs.
Now, through education provided by Patterson's well-trained sales staff, these same companies enjoy the profits reaped from increased productivity by using fewer Patterson fans with almost no repair or replacement costs.
The History
1989
Rooted in Grit.
What began as a side hustle alongside a small business cooling roofs exploded into a full-blown business when Pat and Vance Patterson bet everything on creating high-velocity fans that actually move air and move businesses forward.
They pushed everything on the table, including their houses (with their wives' blessings) in order to finance the growth of the new company - Patterson Fan.
1993
Birth of the Truck Cooler Fan
We brought our high-velocity fan to a national distribution center and asked, “Where’s your biggest airflow problem?” Without hesitation, they pointed to the loading dock... Hot, stagnant trailer beds are miserable conditions for workers.
We mounted the fan, flipped it on, and instantly cleared the heat.
Just like that, the first truck cooler fan was born.
1994
Inc. 500 List
After Pat and Vance unleashed their high-velocity blue beasts, it changed everything. They showed facility managers they didn’t need a hundred wimpy fans... they needed powerful ones that actually worked. Less noise. Less maintenance. More cooling. Happier workers.
Within 5 years, at #160, Patterson Fan Company made the INC. 500 list for the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.A.
1995
Expansion Mode: Activated
Patterson Fan expansion growth started in 1995 when we relocated our business to Northpoint Industrial Park. Along with more elbow room, we began adding new ventilation products to our line: Fabric Air Ducts, Truck Cooler Fans, Cage Fans, Shop Floor Fans.
More Space. More Fans. More Ways to Keep You Cool.
2003
The Original Dock Door Fan
It wasn’t the sleek powerhouse you see today, but the very first HVTC trailer fan was a trailblazer! As the first engineered dock door cooling solution, it quickly won over customers with its simple function and game-changing results.
Today’s HVTC is lighter, stronger, and more powerful than ever - yet still carries the innovative spirit that started it all.
2012
Taking Fans to New Heights
Patterson Fan releases their first generation of large HVLS ceiling fans for customers who need serious air movement in wide open spaces.
Massive Coverage. Minimal Effort.
2017
Because One Fan Doesn’t Fit All.
You spoke. We built it. Driven by customer feedback, our engineers delivered the DB — The Quiet Fan. It’s the only high-velocity fan that packs powerful airflow and ultra-quiet performance into one sleek, compact design.
Big air. Low noise. Zero compromise.
2020
More Room to Build. More Tools to Solve.
Patterson Fan’s total manufacturing space totals to 75,000-square-feet, including the new manufacturing and shipping warehouse, private offices, break room, loading dock with three dock doors and two additional overhead doors. As business grew so did Patterson's plans to expand their product line for new customers in untouched markets.
2023
Not Your Average Factory. Not Your Average Boss.
“If you’re going to spend 8 hours a day somewhere, it might as well be a place you actually enjoy.”
That’s why there's now an atrium in the middle of the building, complete with waterfalls and tropical plants. It’s calm, bright, and a perfect spot to take a breather or join together for company celebrations. Creating a great company culture meant literally building it into the walls.
2025
Innovation Comes Full Circle
Patterson Fan Company began by cooling rooftops - now we’re cooling truck trailers.
Today, we’ve come full circle—returning to our evaporative roots with the Smart Evaporative Truck Cooling (SETC) system. Designed to mount above truck dock doors, the SETC actively cools the interior of hot trailers, reducing heat stress and improving loading conditions where it matters most.
Why Choose Patterson?
Custom Products & Configurations Available
Direct Sales & Delivery from Inventory
30-Day Demo Program on Most Fans
Manufactured in USA
Blythewood, SC
Pre-Project Visits, Plant Surveys, & Post-Project Visits
CAD Drawings & Computational Fluid Dynamics Software for Precise Analysis