Company Profile - Company History

Walker Crosweller & Co. Ltd. founded in London by James MacFarlane Walker as an agency for industrial instruments (Germany) and water & oil flow measuring meters (U.S.A.).

The Walker Crossweller 21 Club was formed for all employees with 21 years of service to the company. The club would later come to be known as the Mira 21 Club.

Mira began manufacturing a mechanical shower mixer called the Mira 8, a product which would prove to be so popular that it would stay in production for more than 20 years.

James MacFarlane Walker, founder of the Walker Crosweller Group, died. His son Richard F. Walker, became Chairman and Managing Director.	Mr. Richard F. Walker Chairman & Managing director of the Walker Crosweller group and son of the company's founder.

Expansion into Asia.

Created advanced hydraulics testing facility - capable of reproducing every kind of water supply condition found anywhere in the world.

Continued expansion into North America with branch offices opened in Canada & USA.

Walker Crossweller became first U.K. company to install acoustic chamber to meet new German Standards designed to measure noise generated by mixing valves.

Walker Crosweller became the first member of Reed International, a multinational company with strength in the building products industry.

Miralec electric brand was created. The Miralec 7TS - 7kW was the first electric shower to be launched by the company.

Mira Showers pioneered U.K. application of new gravity die casting technology.

After 42 years, the Leonard brand name was retired and replaced by Mira Thermostatic.

The Mira brand name was extended to cover all mixing valve and flow control products marketed in the U.K. - replacing Leonard.

The RADA brand was introduced for export markets.

Walker Crosweller launched revolutionary design of thermoscopic mixing valves: innovative thermostatic control provided the most advanced performance available. The thermoscopic technology won a design award at the 1979 Batimat Building Exhibition in Paris, France.

Miralec launched the first Mira Supreme 7kW & 8.2kW electric shower with patented flow regulator, one of the first products in the UK to have such a feature.


The Rada 32RM model made its debut - a new electronic/electrical temperature control to the U.K. domestic market.

The Mira 915 mixer control brought "thermoscopic" precise temperature control to the U.K. domestic market.

New production facility for electric showers completed in Cheltenham thereby doubling capacity.

The one-millionth Mira 8 manual mixer shower was produced. It was now officially Britain's single most popular shower.

The Mira 88 was launched and remains one of the most popular manual mixers in the UK today.

Walker Crosweller became part of CARADON LIMITED as a result of Reed International's divestment of the Building Products Division.

The Mira 723 thermostatic mixing valve was launched to replace the existing 722 and was the first product to feature the acclaimed 300 series shower fittings kit.

The Mira 415 pressure balanced mixer valve was introduced and remains the first choice for high pressure water systems.

The Mira Electronic Bathroom control system was launched - a World first in integrated electronic controls for all bathroom functions.


The company changed its name to CARADON MIRA LIMITED. Booster pumps and high-power shower packs were introduced to the Mira showers range.

Meynell Ltd. of Wolverhampton was acquired, a brand with its own strong, healthy heritage.

The Miralec brand was renamed Mira.

Electronic timed flow controls were added to Rada'a commercial product range via the acquisition of Meltronic BV in Holland.

The Mira Excel, which went on to be the UK's most popular mixer shower, was introduced. This new product utilised internal ceramics and a disposable plastic cartridge.

Modern manufacturing technology implemented with the launch of the company's first manufacturing cell, combining both machining and assembly for the Mira 88 and Mira 415 mixer ranges.

The Mira Elite, Mira's first pumped electric shower for gravity fed applications is added to the range.

The world's first thermostatic electric shower, the Mira Advance, was launched with 8.7kW & 9.8kW versions and 5 memory variants. Launch of Rada 215, 222 and Exact Thermostatic Mixing Valves featuring the worlds first "sealed for life" thermostatic cartridge employing the patented "radatherm" technology.	Rada 215-T3 DK Thermostatic Mixing Valve Rada 222-T3 DK Thermostatic Mixing Valve Rada Exact-3 Thermostatic Mixing Valve

The Rada Thermotap was introduced. The U.K.'s first thermostatic tap.

Automation introduced into Mira's polishing cell; alleviated processing by hand.

Gravity die-casting introduced into Meynell.

Rada 320 C Thermostatic Mixing Valve Patented "radatherm" "sealed for life" thermostatic cartridge technology introduced into the Rada 320 3/4" multi-point shower valve. Introduction of Rada Pulse Central Washroom Control System, with hand held programmer, for optimum control of water usage by washbasins, showers and urinals. Rada Pulse Central Washroom Control System

The popular Mira Sport range of electic showers is restyled for the new Millennium. Rada, founder member of UK's Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers Association - TMVA.

Caradon Plumbing Solutions formed incorporating Mira, Rada, Ideal Boilers, Stelrad Radiators and Twyford Bathrooms.

Alstone manufacturers of shower cubicles and trays, transfers from Caradon Bathrooms to the Caradon Showers Group.	Mira Montpellier

Caradon PLC sells Caradon Plumbing Solutions to venture capitalists HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation).

The Mira Design range of up-market shower enclosures and shower panels were introduced. New range of stylised mixer showers launched: range included Mira Montpellier with Victorian styling and 12" rose option, Mira Crescent with retro styling, and Mira Mode with contemporary look and feel.

December saw the death of Richard Walker, son of the founder of the company.

New Mira Elite 2 launched in Ireland. The Mira Advance, the UK's first thermostatic electric shower was restyled and the Mira Advance Flex was introduced strengthening Mira's commitment to offering products which caster for those with flexible showering needs.

Mira 21 Club celebrated 40th anniversary with a Birthday Bash attended by 185 people. Current membership exceeds 200 people with more than half still working for the company. Radatherm technology range extension completed with the launch of the Rada 425-t3 c 1" multi-point valve.	Rada 425-t3 c 1

Sale of Mira Showers & Alstone Shower Cubicles to U.S.-based Kohler Company returns Mira to private ownership.	Mr. Herbert V. Kohler Jnr. - Chairman, CEO and President of Kohler Co.

Caradon Mira Limited becomes Kohler Mira Limited

Mira's biggest year ever in terms of new product launches.

Mira's showering commitment further extended with the launch of a brand new range of enclosures and trays.

New Mira Event and Mira Excel ranges set to cement Mira's position as the U.K.'s number one showers brand.

U.K.'s first all-in-one surgical basin tap & thermostatic mixing valve range, Rada Unatherm-3 - TMV3 approved. High and low level options.	Rada Unathem-3 Fixed HL (High Neck Lever Operation) Rada Unathem-3 Fixed LL (Low Spout Lever Operation)

The first ever TMV3 approved thermostatic bath/shower mixer - Rada Autotherm-3 BSM. Its patented design means that in one unit, bath temperature can be set to 44°C with shower to 41°C. Also TMV2 approved.	Rada Autotherm-3 Bsm

Rada Sense, the world's first digital thermostatic mixing valve for commercial applications, with no-touch control of both flow and temperature adjustment. Setting new standards in hygiene, including the ability to perform duty flushing and thermal disinfection. Achieving numerous safety & performance standards worldwide, including TMV2 & TMV3.