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Highlights from 85 years of Danfoss history

Passion for innovative customer solutions has been ingrained at Danfoss since Mads Clausen’s very first inventions. From the thermostatic expansion valve for refrigeration systems, to one of the world’s first radiator thermostats for regulating heating, to the world’s first mass-produced frequency converters, all the way to today's telematics used for precision farming. Explore our timeline and key highlights from different decades below.

1930s: One man’s passion sparks global innovation

Milestones: Mads Clausen sets up his own company, "Dansk Køleautomatik og Apparatfabrik" in 1933.

Key innovations: First thermostatic expansion valves - water valves, thermostats, pressure switches, filter driers and more.

Global Presence: First partnership established with distributor Itho-Schiedam in the Netherlands.

The team: 26 people employed by 1939.

1940s: Building a business and an international presence

Milestones: Exports exceed 30% in 1941 and the company is renamed Danfoss in 1946.

Key innovations: Radiator thermostat prototyped as one of the first in the world. Controls and nozzles for oil burners introduced.

Global Presence: In 1949, the first sales company set up in Argentina.

The team: By Danfoss' 10th anniversary, Danfoss employs 179 people.

1950s: Optimizing production and forging a global network

Milestones: In its first year of production, Danfoss sells 5,000 Danfoss compressors - 10% of company sales turnover alone.

Key innovations: Thermostatic radiator valves go into series production. An early digital milestone is reached when Danfoss gets its own punch-card department.

Global Presence: Agents from 21 countries meet for the `Danfoss Convention 1950´ in Nordborg.

The team: 3,000 employees celebrate Danfoss' 25th anniversary in 1958.

1960s: The death of the founder heralds the birth of a legacy

Milestones: Mads Clausen dies in 1966 - but his legacy lives with 305 patent applications being filed between 1965-69. In 1961 Danfoss purchases the first EDP system and in 1969 installs the biggest computer in Danish industry. The 3,000,000th Compressor leaves the factory, manufacturing of hydraulic components begins (licenses from Char-Lynn). Danfoss moves into newly constructed headquarters in 1962 – Until then, Mads Clausen had run a company with over 5,000 employees from his childhood room in an old farmhouse.

The team: Mads Clausen’s widow, Bitten becomes chair of the board.

1970s: Energy efficiency in focus

Milestones: A test field for hydraulics is established in Nordborg and the company’s first electron-scanning microscope is put to use. The hydraulic motor ORT wins the 'IF 75' Design Award

Key innovations: Oil pre-heaters are launched and in 1974, VLT® frequency converters control the transfer lines at Audi. SONOFLO® ultrasonic flowmeters are introduced.

The team: By 1977 there are over 11,000 employees: 7,800 in Denmark and 3,400 around the world.

1980s: Leading the way in the computer age

Milestones: Computer-aided design (CAD) is put into use in 1982 and in 1986 electronics represent 10% of sales. A waste water neutralization plant in Nordborg opens in 1985; later Danfoss wins the `Excellent Environment Administration´ award. In 1989, Danfoss produces 100 million compressors.

Key innovations: The ECT weather compensation control panel and ADAP-KOOL® control system are introduced.

The team: In 1986 Danfoss has 13,285 employees, including 9,275 in Denmark.

1990s: Setting a course for sustainability

Milestones: Danish factories achieve ISO 9001 quality certification and Danfoss signs ICC’s international declaration of sustainable development. More than 1,000 PCs are installed in 1990. Danfoss acquires Maneurop Compressors in 1990. Factories are established in Russia (1993) and China (1996).

Key innovations: Nessie® Water Hydraulics called `The Innovation of the Century'. EVITA® Oxygen Meters are launched.

The team: By 1999, Danfoss employs almost 19,000 people.

2000s: Expanding the Danfoss family

Milestones: Danfoss Fluid Power A/S merges with Sauer Inc. to become Sauer-Danfoss Inc. Production starts in India and Brazil. Danfoss joins the UN Global Compact. Danfoss acquires several heating technology companies, including DEVI, Thermia and LPM. A survey puts Danfoss among the world’s most ethical companies.

The team: By 2008, Danfoss has almost 32,000 employees.

2010s: Engineering Tomorrow, today

Milestones: Danfoss and Sauer-Danfoss come out of the global financial crisis stronger than ever. AURELIUS AG buys Danfoss Household Compressors. In 2013, Danfoss Turbocor® Compressors and Sauer-Danfoss become 100% owned by Danfoss. Danfoss also acquires Vacon®, Sondex® and White Drive products. In 2016 Danfoss celebrates 50 years of the T2 series of expansion valves - and more than 50 million produced.

Key innovations: In 2012, Danfoss is the first to integrate variable speed technology in commercial air-conditioning. Danfoss Link™ smart heating is introduced. In 2014 alone, 213 new patents are granted.

The team: Sales turnover doubles 2006-2016, with 22% increase in employees.

Mads Clausen-丹佛斯的创始人

Mads Clausen - the founder of Danfoss

From just a single valve and an unquenchable desire to succeed, Danfoss founder, Mads Clausen, created a global business that still sets the standard for innovation today.

A farmer’s son with the soul of an engineer

Born into a farming family in 1905 on the island of Als in Denmark, Mads Clausen ran the company for its first 30 years from his childhood bedroom. Danfoss' headquarters are still located right next door to the family farm which now houses the Danfoss Museum.

His family made many attempts to lure Mads into carrying on the farming tradition, but his fascination with engineering won over. Inspired by his great-grandfather who built pumps and spinning wheels in his workshop, Mads' passion for mechanics and the value of good craftsmanship grew stronger. In 1927, he earned his engineering degree and in a fateful move, started working with Brødrene Gram (Gram Brothers), designing components for refrigeration systems.

Grasping the opportunity to go it alone

Mads began experimenting with expansion valves for refrigeration systems. With a ban on importing valves from the USA, he saw an important opportunity to strike out on his own. Mads Clausen’s first valve was made on November 25th, 1932. By the summer of 1933, he had established his own company, Danfoss.

It's no exaggeration to say that Mads Clausen and Danfoss changed the island of Als forever. When the company’s growth gained speed in the 1950s, it made its mark on the local landscape. Multistory apartment blocks sprung up – non-existent outside major cities – and an entire town with apartments, houses, a school, kindergarten and shopping center appeared practically overnight on what used to be barren fields. The rush of eager workers to the area made Nordborg the Klondike for engineers.

Necessity is the mother of invention

Shortages in the 1930s and ‘40s demanded clever solutions. At first, Mads' mother let him build a wooden hut in her vegetable garden for his new enterprise, but when he needed to expand, she put her foot down. So, the innovative Mads raised the building on stilts and added a ground floor – all without production missing a step.

After WWII, Mads had an urgent need for space but was faced with a severe shortage of building materials. In 1949, he dismantled a former refugee camp and used the materials to build the first of the Elsmark factory buildings – many of which are still in use at our Nordborg campus.

Knowing the competition

The Marshall Plan – designed to rebuild Europe after WWII – included study tours in the USA and Canada, and so Mads used this as a shrewd opportunity to check out the competition.

He was meticulous about capturing his new-found knowledge – producing 36 reports about his company visits, detailing everything from technical specifications, organizational design, salary systems and productivity. Happily, for Mads, he concluded that he was on the right track.

Taking care of our most valued assets

Mads felt an intrinsic need to support employees and business partners. In 1956, a Welfare and Interest Office was set up to administer the many support schemes and foundations which had been established. This is a tradition that continues at Danfoss, whether it be assembly jobs for house-bound employees or a department focusing on helping people get back on their feet after illness.

This loyalty goes both ways, and it is not unusual for multiple generations of families to work for Danfoss. And this is not just a Nordborg phenomenon; employees throughout the world remain loyal to the company throughout the generations.

Bitten Clausen

Bitten and Mads married in 1939, and throughout her life she played a very active role in the company. Long before CSR became a buzzword, Bitten Clausen laid the foundation for Danfoss’ long-standing tradition for social responsibility.

Following the death of Mads Clausen in 1966, Bitten Clausen became Chairman of the Danfoss A/S Board, taking an active part in the development of the company. Bitten Clausen passed away in 2016 at the age of 103.