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Who We Are
For more than 100 years, Donaldson has been solving customers' complex filtration needs. We serve customers in aerospace, agriculture, alternative power, bioprocessing, construction, food and beverage, manufacturing, power generation, and transportation. You cannot always see our products and technologies, but they are at work in hundreds of ways, from bulldozers to hearing aids, and from R&D laboratories to grain processing facilities. 

By The Numbers

$3.69B

in revenue

3,100+

active U.S. and international patents

40+

countries with Donaldson locations

150+

facilities globally

100+

technical laboratories

$88M

in R&D investments

70

consecutive years of quarterly dividends

$1.79M

contributed to communities globally

History

In 1915, a young Frank Donaldson, Sr.—then a Bull Tractor Company salesman—visited a customer whose tractor kept breaking down in his dusty field. Frank hand-fashioned a simple air cleaner to protect the engine and invented the world’s first effective air cleaner for a tractor engine. Employees continue to establish strong relationships using our advanced filtration technologies and service solutions to help protect critical equipment, improve performance, and keep essential operations running smoothly.

1945
1915
Donaldson is formed when Frank Donaldson, Sr. invents the world's first effective air filter for a tractor operating in a dusty Utah field.
1920
1920s
Our spirit of innovation is rewarded when a long-standing customer begins purchasing nearly 70,000 air filters annually.
1930
1930s
200 employees manufacture more than 300,000 air cleaners per year for agriculture and transportation industries with exports overseas continuing to grow.
2015
1940s
World War II refocuses Donaldson on its origins—filtration that keeps heavy-duty equipment running. In 1945, we open our first international location in Canada.
Donalcone
1950s
We produce Donaclone™ dry-type air cleaners with a replaceable paper filter, which becomes the impetus for our aftermarket business.
Dedication
1960s
Administrative and research and development (R&D) functions move to Bloomington, Minnesota, priming the company for future growth.
newly
1970s
Newly developed hydraulic filters revolutionize fluid power, gas turbine filters launch, and Donaldson acquires Torit Corporation. Donaldson becomes the 33rd Minnesota firm to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
1980
1980s
The introduction of Ultra-Web® fine fiber media and RadialSeal® technology revolutionizes mobile filtration. We expand with the first sale of custom-engineered filters for microelectronics and computer disk drives.
1990
1990s
We begin producing expanded membranes and introduce breakthrough PowerCore® technology.
2000
2000s
Donaldson acquires liquid, sterile air, and steam filtration capabilities and enters the alternative power market with our first fuel cell filtration patent. A resin-free media—Synteq XP™—is developed for growth in fuel filtration.
bus
2010s
Over 12,500 employees celebrate our first century of solving customer filtration needs, technology leadership, operational excellence, and global presence.
Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) Rings The Closing Bell The New York Stock Exchange welcomes executives and guests of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), today, Monday, March 2, 2026, to the podium. To honor the occasion, Rich Lewis, President & Chief Executive Officer, joined by Chris Taylor, Chief Development Officer, NYSE, rings The Closing Bell.  Photo Credit: NYSE
2020s
Our innovation investments and breakthrough technologies focus on new products and markets like alternative power, comprehensive services, and life-changing therapies.