Brand Histories

1921 - Bill Reed, engineer and entrepreneur, painted automobiles in his workshop in Louisville, KY. Because he grew irritated with dust fouling his work, Reed inserted steel wool between two layers of chicken wire and into a wood frame, inventing what would become a game-changing air filter. Discovering that his invention was popular not only in the automotive industry but other settings as well, he founds Reed Air Filter Company which manufactures the first commercial air filter in Louisville, KY - The Reed air filter.

1924 - Company establishes its first offices and manufacturing plant in Louisville.

1929 - Reed Air Filter merges with 7 other air filter manufacturers to form American Air Filter Company, Inc - AAF.

1935 - Fluorocarbon synthesis is developed by Daikin. Mass production begins in 1942

1950 - AAF introduces fiberglass replacement filters to the residential market.

1961 - AAF introduces the first bag-style filter

1963 - AAF introduces the first modern high-efficiency box-style filter

1964 - AAF makes the first HEPA filter

1966-1968 - AAF opens plants and begins manufacturing filters in Europe .

1969 - NASA Lunar Module uses AAF filters in Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

1970 - AAF Asian headquarters established.

1988 - SnyderGeneral acquires American Air Filter (AAF), an air filtration equipment manufacturer now with 27 international production facilities and sales coming from more than 100 countries.

1991 - Economic conditions hinder financial growth of the company. With global economic recession in full swing, SnyderGeneral sets its eyes on international markets to serve as the prime area for growth. SnyderGeneral subsequently sells Comfortmaker and Arcoaire brand lines to Inter-City Products. 

1994 - The remainder of SnyderGeneral operations are sold to Hong Leong Group Malaysia, which is partially comprised of O.Y.L. Industries Berhad, a manufacturer of residential and light commercial HVAC equipment. SnyderGeneral is renamed "AAF-Mcquay Incorporated" and divided into two major companies: "AAF International" and "McQuay International". AAF International was based in Louisville, KY and manufactured air filtration products and systems including commercial, industrial, and residential air filters, as well as air pollution control products, machinery filtration, and acoustical systems. McQuay International was based in Minneapolis, MN where it designed, manufactured, marketed, and serviced all HVAC systems and products formerly undertaken by SnyderGeneral (with exception to the Arcoaire and Comfortmaker brands previously sold to Inter-City Products). McQuay International sold its products under various brand names, including Wesper, JennFan, Barry Blower, and AAF (commercial and institutional HVAC equipment).

2006 - McQuay International and AAF International were acquired by Daikin Industries, a global manufacturer of both commercial and residential air conditioning equipment based in Osaka, Japan. AAF becomes member of Daikin Group.

2013 - Daikin dropped the McQuay name, ending 80 years of business for the name. AAF International remains a subsidiary to Daikin.

2016 - AAF Acquires Dinair Group AB to form one of the strongest networks within Europe’s filtration industry.

2016 - AAF International acquires Flanders Corp. (Flanders Holdings LLC) another leading filter manufacturer in the U.S., and forms new company subsidiary as "AAF Flanders". Daikin Industries Ltd. remains parent company of AAF Flanders and AAF International. AAF Flanders manufactures HVAC filters and air purification products for the residential, commercial, and industrial market segments. AAF International remains focused on Energy/Power and Industrial air quality applications, and similar industrial filtration applications.

2017 - AAF acquires RIS Facility Management GmbH, a leading provider of Indoor Air Quality services in Germany.

Manufacturer of commercial packaged rooftop (RTU) equipment.

1988 - The company was founded with the purchase of John Zink Air Conditioning Division.

1991 - Formed AAON Coil Products, a subsidiary to AAON, Inc. and purchased the coil making assets of Coil Plus.

2018 -  Acquired WattMaster Controls, Inc.

• 1992 - AbsolutAire formed with purchase of Duo-Aire, Inc.
• 1994 - Introduces AA1500 product
• 1995 - Introduces AA7 product. Becomes a member of Gas Appliance Manufacturer's Association (GAMA) and the American Gas Association (AGA).
• 1996 - Becomes a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA)
• 1998 - Introduction of DH90 SS door heater and CH70 SS construction heater
• 2000 - Introduction of AA8 product line
• 2001 - Introduction of S-Series custom air handling product line
• 2006 - Introduction of first M-Series unit.
• 2009 - E-Series product introduced. I-Series product introduced.

1990 - Sold the residential "WeatherKing" brand to Rheem Mfg. Co.  - Addison's Orlando FL operation was not part of the sale.

1995 - Addison Products WeatherKing Division, Orlando was acquired by Heat Controller Inc. - The new company was called "Addison Products Co., A Division of Heat Controller Inc." - Any system bearing this name will have been manufactured between 1995 and 2004

2004 - Addison was acquired by Fedders Corp. - The company name was changed to "Fedders Addison Co." and became part of a their Fedders Commercial HVAC new venture. Any system bearing this name will have been manufactured between 2004 and 2008

2008 - Fedders sold the assets of its Fedders Addison Co. subsidiary to Roberts-Gordon LLC. The company is now simply called "Addison".

1900 - Company established in St. Louis by Harry Van Bayse, John Laux, and William D. Harrison who all met while working at Front Rank Steel/Langenberg Manufacturing Company. Production limited to warm-air heaters

1919 - Bayse buys out Laux's share of the company

1921 - Bayse buys out Harrison's share of the company

1942 - AFCO leaves residential production to manufacture furnaces for the military during WWII. Opens new facility in Redbud, IL.

1945 - AFCO is manufacturing a variety of warm-air furnaces including coal, gas, and oil.

1950's (early) - AFCO began manufacturing residential air conditioners - both central and window unit models.

1950's (general) - Company producing 3,000 furnaces and air conditioners per month including brands such as "Thermo" and "Air Stream". Introduces "Comfortmaker"  brand combination heat/air unit and firmly establishes its southern market for air conditioners.

1955 - AFCO opens regional distribution center in Chicago serving a four-state area

1968 - Singer Furnace Company (subsidiary of Singer Sewing Machine Company) purchases AFCO and places it under the corporation's Climate Control Division.

Any system bearing the brand name "AFCO" or "American Furnace Company" will have been manufactured during the era's leading up to 1968-1970.

1970 - Became Singer American Furnace

1982 - Singer Co.'s Climate Control Division is purchased by it's then president, Richard W. Snyder, and becomes SnyderGeneral Corp. More than half the bank debt ($14 million) was paid back within 9 months, and venture capitalists who invested in Snyder were bought out by early 1984.

1984 - Singer and Singer American Furnace brand names dropped and no longer used; however, "Comfortmaker" brand from 1950's AFCO era was kept alive.

Prior to 1976 -  Known as Chrylser Airtemp and Airtemp - A Division of Chrylser Corp. (Dayton, OH)

1976 - Fedders purchased the U.S. non-automotive air conditioning assets of Chrysler. Became a subsidiary of Fedders Corp. called "Airtemp Corp. - A subsidiary of Fedders Corp." 

1977 - Moved the operations from Dayton, OH to Edison, NJ

1982 - Fedders formed "Fedders Air Conditioning USA" and moved operations (except for Applied Machinery which was later moved) to Effingham, IL

1987 - MagneTek purchased all assets of applied systems and industrial compressor parts business related to Chrysler/Airtemp from Fedders

1991 - MagneTek purchased all assets of central air conditioning parts business related to Chrysler/Airtemp from Fedders

1997 - All assets of Fedders/MagneTek parts businesses acquired by RSI Company.

2012 - Airtemp name revived by Nordyne under private label

See also Fedders

1934 - Company founded by George Foerstner as "The Electrical Equipment Company" in Middle Amana, Iowa to manufacture commercial walk-in coolers.

1936 - Company sold to the Amana Society, renamed the "Electrical Department of the Amana Society" and Foerstner remained manager.

1947 - Manufactured the first upright freezer for the home.

1949 - Introduced first side-by-side refrigerator.

1949 - Electrical Department of the Amana Society sold to an investment group and renamed "Amana Refrigeration, Inc."

1954 - Began making air conditioners

1965 - Acquired by Raytheon which had invented the microwave oven in 1947 and produced the commercial "Radarange" in 1954

1967 - Amana introduced a consumer model of the "Radarange", the first popular microwave designed for home use.

1986 - Amana invents tubular heat exchanger for gas furnaces

1997 - Amana (Raytheon Appliances) purchased by Goodman Corp.

2001 - Goodman separates the appliance and HVAC divisions

2002 - Goodman sold the appliance division to Maytag (now Whirlpool), but retained the furnace and air conditioner division including Amana branded HVAC systems.

2012 - Daikin acquires Goodman Manufacturing.

Amana HVAC brand still remains part of Goodman Manufacturing (now Daikin North America as of 2012).

1875 - Standard Sanitary Manufacturing is formed and begins making porcelain enamel coated cast iron water closets, wash stands, and bathtubs.

1881 - Pierce Steam Heating Company is formed in Buffalo, NY manufacturing steel boilers and radiators.

1892 - Three companies (Michigan Radiator, Detroit Radiator, and the Pierce Steam Heating Company create a major company merger to form the "American Radiator Company".

1929 - Standard Sanitary Manufacturing and American Radiator Company merge to form "American Radiator-Standard Sanitary Corp."

1929 - Purchased Kewanee Toilet Boiler Company. Kept this company until 1970.

1937 - Fox Furnace company purchased by American Radiator-Standard Sanitary Corp.

1948 - Brand name changed from American Radiator-Standard Sanitary Corp. to "American-Standard".

1968 - Hyphen between names dropped and name changed to "American Standard".

1968 - Purchased Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO) earth moving and mining product division.

1984 - TRANE acquired by American Standard Inc. - Divested previous WABCO assets.

1988 - Kelso & Company outbids Black & Decker to purchase American Standard

1996 - Kelso & Company parts ways with American Standard

2007 - American Standard Companies breaks up its three divisions:

• Sells namesake kitchen and bath division to Bain Capital. Bain subsequently sold the North American operations to Sun Capital, and Asian operations to Lixil Group, while retaining the European and Latin American operations as "Ideal Standard".  The deal also included the rights to use the former company name in North America.
• Spins off automotive parts division forming WABCO Vehicle Control Systems.
• Remainder of the company took the name of its heating and air conditioning division, "TRANE, Inc."

2008 - Merger of American Standard Americas, Crane Plumbing, and Eljer results in formation of "American Standard Brands" manufacturing bath and kitchen fixtures/products.

2008 - Trane, Inc. purchased by Ireland-based Ingersol Rand after offer made in December 2007. The parent company was renamed "Trane Technologies".

2013 - American Standard Brands purchased by LIXIL Corporation.

• 1874 - Machine shop started as Charles J. Smith - Machinist (name later changed to C.J. Smith and Sons)
• 1889 - Introduces concept of forming steel tubing from sheet metal and enters the bicycle manufacturing industry, eventually becoming the largest bicycle parts manufacturer in the world
• 1899 - Arthur O. Smith (son of Charles) develops the worlds first pressed steel automobile frame
• 1902 - Company receives first order of auto frames from Peerless Car Company - closely followed by orders from Cadillac, Packard, and Oldsmobile
• 1904 - Arthur O. Smith incorporates the A.O. Smith Company
• 1906 - Henry Ford orders 10,000 steel auto frames, leading the company to develop the first mass production process for assembling frames
• 1914 - Develops Smith Motor Wheel, a gas powered device for bicycles
• 1918 - Develops coated welding rod which influenced the development of arc welding as a mass production method
• 1921 - Reveals the world's first fully automated frame assembly plant , dubbed "the Mechanical Marvel"
• 1936 - Patents the process of glass lining a water heater tank
• 1939 - Begins producing residential water heaters
• 1942 - Produces bomb casings, aircraft propellers, nose frames for the B25 bomber, and landing gear for the war effort
• 1948 - Acquires Burkay Company of Toledo, OH and enters market for coil-type commercial water heaters
• 1949 - Introduces "Harvestor" glass fused to steel silo for dairy and livestock operations
• 1953 - Glascote Products, Inc. becomes a subsidiary of A.O. Smith® expanding its vessel manufacturing capabilities
• 1961 - Opens commercial water heater and boiler plant in Ontario, Canada
• 1967 - Begins making fiberglass body panels for Corvette Stingray
• 1972 - Water heater division opens first European operation in the Netherlands
• 1982 - Company produces 100 millionth passenger car frame
• 1995 - A.O. Smith® enters China market with three joint ventures
• 1997 - Sells automotive division and exits the auto industry after 98 years
• 2001 - A.O. Smith® acquires State Industries, Inc.
• 2006 - Acquires Canadian GSW, Inc. and American Water Heater Company. The addition covers American, Whirlpool, GSW, and John Woods brands
• 2010 - Acquires Takagi's North American operations as a joint venture to market and manufacture tankless water heaters in North America
• 2011 - Acquires Lochinvar Corporation, leading manufacturer of high efficiency water heaters and boilers
• 2016 - A.O. Smith® enters water treatment market through acquisition of Aquasana
• 2017 - Expands North American water treatment presence through acquisition of Hague Quality Water

1966 - Atlantic Richfield Company established as an independent oil and gas company formed from the merger of Atlantic Petroleum and the Richfield Oil Corporation.

1969 - Atlantic Richfield Company acquires Sinclair Oil, and decides to merger their three separate service brands into one called "ARCO". $60 million was reportedly spent on the rebranding effort.

1970's - 1980's - Besides mining, oil & gas production, and branded gasoline stations, ARCO branched into multiple other segments including Scientific Research, Solar, Chemical, and Climate Control Products.

1979 - In a later related event, United Technologies Corp. (UTC) acquires Carrier Refrigeration in forced takeover. Carrier becomes a subsidiary of UTC.

1984 - ARCO's climate control division is purchased by SnyderGeneral (formerly AFCO and then Singer), who incorporated the brand under "Arcoaire"

1991 - Economic conditions hinder financial growth of the company. With global economic recession in full swing, SnyderGeneral sets its eyes on international markets to serve as the prime area for growth. SnyderGeneral subsequently sells Comfortmaker and Arcoaire brand lines to Inter-City Products. Both Arcoaire and brand-mate Comfortmaker became part of Inter-City Products.

1999 - Carrier/United Technologies acquires Inter-City Products, and changed the name to "International Comfort Products" (ICP). Carrier becomes the parent company of ICP, thus incorporating all ICP brands under the Carrier umbrella.

2020 - Carrier completes separation from United Technologies as an independent, publicly traded company - Carrier Global Corporation. The separation process was started in 2018. Carrier retains ICP and their brands. Arcoaire remains listed as an ICP brand as of 2023.

1881 - Willis Carrier patents the slide rule which was manufactured by Kueffel & Esser. A precursor to the modern calculator, Carrier used this instrument to calculate dew point control - a breakthrough that was the foundation of his invention of modern air conditioning.

1902 - The world’s first modern air conditioning system run by a stationary engine is installed and started by Willis Carrier in the summer of 1902 at the Sackett & Wilhelms printing plant in Brooklyn, New York. This is the invention of modern air conditioning. As a result of his inovations and contributions through the next 50 years, Willis Carrier becomes known as "The Father of Air Conditioning".

1904 - Willis Carrier applies for patent on "Apparatus for Treating Air"  He had invented the world's first spray-type air conditioning equipment that could both wash and humidify (or dehumidify) air. The patent was granted and issued in 1906.

1906 - Buffalo Forge Company sells Carrier’s “Apparatus for Treating Air” to the Chronicle Cotton Mills of Belmont, North Carolina, and applies it to the mill’s fan-heater ventilating system. It was the first industrial “central station” humidifying system.

1911 - Willis Carrier publishes "Rational Psychrometric Formulae"  which brought science to what had been the often hit-or-miss design of air-conditioning systems, and in the process made Carrier an international name. The chart would be updated and reprinted regularly, serving as an essential tool to generations of engineers and remaining the basis of today’s designs.

1913 - Willis Carrier developed the Carrier Air Humidifier designed to humidify the air in one room, such as an office or laboratory. It was the first self-contained unit with the fan and motor, eliminator, and sprays all combined into a single, packaged product. By 1914,

1914 - By this year, industrial installations designed by Willis Carrier reach from North America to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. Carrier also achieves the first application of air conditioning in a residence for the Charles Gates mansion in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

1915 -  Having so much success across the globe with this new air conditioning technology, Willis Carrier joins forces with 6 other fellow engineers from Buffalo Forge Company to launch Carrier Engineering Corporation, and mass production is started.

1917 - Carrier hires America's first woman engineer - Margaret Ingles who later served on President Herbert Hoover's Conference on Home Building and Home Ownership in the late 1920's, as well as wrote and published Willis Carrier's biography in 1952.

1922 - Carrier unveils the first centrifugal refrigeration machine, more commonly known today as a chiller. This first chiller was installed in Onondaga Pottery Company in Syracuse, New York

1925 - Madison Square Gardens opens. It employs Carrier centrifugal chillers to cool patrons and produce the ice surface for professional hockey.

1926 - T.W. Patterson Building in Fresno, California becomes Carrier’s first multi-story installation with cooled floors two through seven for its tenants. Carrier also introduces the first home air conditioner.

1928 - Milam Building in San Antonio, Texas, included Carrier central air conditioning, making it the first skyscraper to install comfort cooling as it was built.

1930 - Carrier recorded the first sale of its window-sill-height Weathermaster units to the Superheater Company of East Chicago, Indiana, to air condition the second floor of a two-story building. Later that year, the California Bank of Los Angeles contracted for 490 Weathermasters to air condition its 15-story building. The U.S. Supreme Court was also cooled using 180 Carrier Weathermaster units.

1931 - The M.V. Victoria, a 13,400-ton Italian motorship designed to run from Italy to Egypt, became the first vessel to make its maiden voyage equipped with Carrier air conditioning.

1939 - World Fair opens in New York with “Carrier Igloo of Tomorrow” as a major and popular attraction. Inside the Igloo and in the adjacent Hall of Weathermakers, guests learned the steps involved in air conditioning, toured a modern food store using Carrier refrigeration, and viewed an exhibit with Carrier self-contained air conditioning.

1950 - October 7, Willis Carrier passed away. It was the close of an era for both the industry and company, but just the start of an enduring legacy.

1955 - Carrier merged with Affiliated Gas Equipment, Inc., which owned Bryant Heater Co., Day & Night Water Heater Co., and Payne Furnace & Supply Co.

1956 - Carrier won the largest contract ever awarded for residential air conditioning, jointly announced with the community building firm of Levitt & Sons, Inc. Carrier was able to provide Weathermaker central air-conditioning systems for 702 “Country Clubber” homes in Levittown, Pennsylvania.

1968 - Carrier Transicold produces the first front-wall diesel/electric refrigeration unit for shipping containers.

1974 - Carrier creates "BDP" company comprised of Bryant - Day & Night - Payne brands.

1979 - United Technologies Corp. (UTC) acquires Carrier Refrigeration in forced takeover. Carrier becomes a subsidiary of UTC.

1993 - Carrier ceases to manufacture CFC-based chillers in the U.S., two years before the deadline established by the U.S. Clean Air Act.

1990's - Carrier stops using the Day & Night Brand. BDP company still in use.

1999 - Carrier/United Technologies acquires Inter-City Products, and changed the name to International Comfort Products (ICP). Carrier becomes the parent company of ICP, thus incorporating all ICP brands under the Carrier umbrella

2006 - Day & Night brand revived by ICP between 2006-2009 (sources for date vary). Unsure, but presumed to be the end of "BDP Company". Bryant and Payne currently listed under Carrier brands. Day & Night listed under ICP brands.

2011 - Carrier introduced the Infinity^® heat pump with Greenspeed™ intelligence offering the greatest heating efficiency of any air source heat pump to date.

2012 - Carrier celebrates the 110th anniversary of the invention of modern air conditioning.

2020 - Carrier completes separation from United Technologies as an independent, publicly traded company - Carrier Global Corporation. The separation process was started in 2018. Carrier retains ICP and their brands.

2022 - Carrier celebrates 120 year anniversary.

This is an old AFCO (American Furnace Company) brand name originating from the 1950's. AFCO was purchased by Singer in 1968, and then spun off to become SnyderGeneral in 1982. The Comfortmaker brand name was revived at the founding of SnyderGeneral by a former Singer HVAC executive.

1950's - AFCO Introduces "Comfortmaker"  brand combination heat/air unit and firmly establishes its southern market for air conditioners.

1968 - Singer Furnace Company (subsidiary of Singer Sewing Machine Company) purchases AFCO and places it under the corporation's Climate Control Division.

Any Comfortmaker system bearing the company name "AFCO" or "American Furnace Company" will have been manufactured during the era of 1950 leading up to 1968-1970.

1970 - Became Singer American Furnace

1982 - Singer Co.'s Climate Control Division is purchased by it's then president, Richard W. Snyder, and becomes SnyderGeneral Corp. More than half the bank debt ($14 million) was paid back within 9 months, and venture capitalists who invested in Snyder were bought out by early 1984.

1984 - Snyder completes 3 major acquisitions to diversify beyond residential and into commercial and refrigeration. The first two acquisitions include Atlantic Richfield's ARCO Comfort Products Co. and the Halstead & Mitchell division of Halstead Industries. The next was a "friendly" takeover of McQuay Inc., though some sources indicate it was a hostile takeover. This third acquisition moved SnyderGeneral into the top 3 of the U.S. HVAC/R industry, just behind Trane Company and Carrier Corp. respectively, each owned by large multinational parent companies unlike SnyderGeneral.

 1984 - Singer and Singer American Furnace brand names dropped and no longer used; however, "Comfortmaker" brand was kept alive.

1991 - Economic conditions hinder financial growth of the company. With global economic recession in full swing, SnyderGeneral sets its eyes on international markets to serve as the prime area for growth. SnyderGeneral subsequently sells Comfortmaker and Arcoaire brand lines to Inter-City Products.

Any Comfortmaker product bearing the parent company name "SnyderGeneral" will have been manufactured between 1982-1991

1999 - Inter-City Products becomes wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation. Name was changed to "International Comfort Products" at this time (abbreviated as ICP).

Any Comformaker brand bearing the parent company name "Inter-City Products" will have been manufactured between 1991-1999.

Comfortmaker brand remains owned by ICP (International Comfort Products), and is one of many heating and air conditioning brands under the ICP umbrella.

1924 - Daikin is formed in Japan and manufactures radiator tubes for aircraft.

1935 - Manufactures Fluorocarbon gas

1938 - "Mifujirator" refrigeration unit using fluorocarbon gas is delivered to Japanese Navy.

1951 - Japan's first packaged air conditioner is developed for commercial applications.

1958 - Window air conditioner is marketed for residential applications.

1966 - Starts production for industrial centrifugal chillers.

1972 - Daikin Europe is established.

1982 - Daikin develops Japan’s first Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) system. Japan's first multi-split type air conditioner is marketed for commercial applications.

1984 - Daikin markets first inverter type air conditioner for residential applications.

1985 - Daikin markets multi-split type air conditioner with hot water for residential applications.

1988 - Develops and markets a fluorocarbon recovery system.

1988 - SnyderGeneral acquires American Air Filter (AAF), an air filtration equipment manufacturer now with 27 international production facilities and sales coming from more than 100 countries.

1991 - Economic conditions hinder financial growth of the company. With global economic recession in full swing, SnyderGeneral sets its eyes on international markets to serve as the prime area for growth. SnyderGeneral subsequently sells Comfortmaker and Arcoaire brand lines to Inter-City Products. 

1991 - Daikin establishes Daikin America, Inc.

1994 - The remainder of SnyderGeneral operations are sold to Hong Leong Group Malaysia, which is partially comprised of O.Y.L. Industries Berhad, a manufacturer of residential and light commercial HVAC equipment. SnyderGeneral is renamed "AAF-Mcquay Incorporated" and divided into two major companies: "AAF International" and "McQuay International". AAF International was based in Louisville, KY and manufactured air filtration products and systems including commercial, industrial, and residential air filters, as well as air pollution control products, machinery filtration, and acoustical systems. McQuay International was based in Minneapolis, MN where it designed, manufactured, marketed, and serviced all HVAC systems and products formerly undertaken by SnyderGeneral (with exception to the Arcoaire and Comfortmaker brands previously sold to Inter-City Products). McQuay International sold its products under various brand names, including Wesper, JennFan, Barry Blower, and AAF (commercial and institutional HVAC equipment).

1998 - Daikin adopts R-410A refrigerant for air conditioning equipment,

2000 - Daikin establishes Daikin Institute of Advanced Chemical Technology in U.S.

2006 - Daikin acquires O.Y.L. Industries which owns McQuay International and AAF International (AAF-McQuay Inc. collectively). AAF and McQuay become members of Daikin Group, with global headquarters in Louisville and Minneapolis respectively.

2008 - Daikin enters production agreement with Gree Electric Appliances.

2010 - McQuay acquired HydroKool LLC of Phoenix, Arizona, a designer and manufacturer of pre-packaged, pre-engineered custom HVAC solutions.

2012 - Daikin acquires Goodman Manufacturing. R32 refrigerant is marketed in limited residential applications.

2013 - Daikin dropped the McQuay name, ending 80 years of business for the name. AAF International and Goodman Manufacturing remain as subsidiaries. European operations changed its name to Daikin Applied Europe. Daikin expands use of R32 to India markets.

2015 - Daikin acquires leading chemical manufacturer Solvay, a refrigerant manufacturer. Grants worldwide free access of basic patents for air conditioners using R32 refrigerant.

2016 - AAF Acquires Dinair Group AB to form one of the strongest networks within Europe’s filtration industry. AAF International acquires Flanders Corp. (Flanders Holdings LLC) another leading filter manufacturer in the U.S., and forms new company subsidiary as "AAF Flanders". Daikin Industries Ltd. remains parent company of AAF Flanders and AAF International. AAF Flanders manufactures HVAC filters and air purification products for the residential, commercial, and industrial market segments. AAF International remains focused on Energy/Power and Industrial air quality applications, and similar industrial filtration applications.

2017 - AAF acquires RIS Facility Management GmbH, a leading provider of Indoor Air Quality services in Germany.

1909 - Began business as solar water heater company in Monrovia, California providing 'round-the-clock' or "Day & Night" hot water through early solar technology.

1930's - Company ventures into space heating.

1949 - Bryant, Day & Night, and Payne companies merge to form parent company "Affiliated Gas Equipment" or AGE

1955 - Carrier purchases Affiliated Gas Equipment, bringing Bryant, Day & Night, and Payne brands under the Carrier umbrella.

1974 - Carrier creates BDP Company comprised of Bryant - Day & Night - Payne brands.

1979 - United Technologies Corp. (UTC) acquires Carrier Refrigeration in forced takeover. Carrier becomes a subsidiary of UTC.

1990's - Carrier stops using the Day & Night brand.

1999 - Carrier/United Technologies acquires Inter-City Products whose name was changed to International Comfort Products (ICP). Carrier becomes the parent company of ICP, thus incorporating all ICP brands under the Carrier umbrella.

2006 - Day & Night brand revived by ICP between 2006-2009 (sources for date vary). Unsure, but presumed to be the end of "BDP Company". Bryant and Payne currently listed under Carrier brands. Day & Night listed under ICP brands.

2020 - Carrier completes separation from United Technologies as an independent, publicly traded company - Carrier Global Corporation. The separation process was started in 2018. Carrier retains ICP and their brands. Day & Night remains listed under ICP brands.

1991 - SnyderGeneral sold to Inter-City Products. Both Comfortmaker and Arcoaire brands were part of SnyderGeneral.

1999 - Inter-City Products becomes wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation/Carrier. Name was changed to "International Comfort Products" at this time (abbreviated as ICP).

ICP (International Comfort Products) has the largest North American distribution system in the industry. ICP is the parent company of many heating and air conditioning brands resulting from varied history of a number of previous company mergers, buyouts, and spinoffs which are now under the ICP umbrella including:

• Airquest
• Arcoaire
• Comfortmaker
• Day & Night
• Heil
• KeepRight
• TempStar
• Lincoln (formerly)
• and manufacturer for Kenmore brand heating and air systems

• 1919 - Began as International Oil Heating Company in St Louis, MO - manufactured oil burners and coal to oil conversion heating systems. Company later became International Oil Burner Company
• 1930's - Introduced heating systems for manufactured housing
• 1940's - Introduced first forced air distribution system for manufactured housing
• 1950's - Introduced central air conditioning systems for manufactured housing
• 1967 - Ralph R. Papitto founded Nortek, Inc. which successively acquires numerous companies and entities of various industries over the years.
• 1969 - International Oil Burner Co. (International Thermal) becomes Intertherm
• 1971 - Introduced first sealed-combustion residential oil & gas furnaces
• 1977 - Nortek Air Solutions was established
• 1985 - Intertherm acquired by Nortek
• 1987 - Becomes Nordyne, Inc with acquisition by Nortek
• 1998 - Nordyne started marketing under Electrolux brands Frigidaire, Philco, Tappan, Kelvinator & Gibson. Also making Maytag brand under license
• 2012 - Airtemp name revived by Nordyne under private label
• 2015 - Nortek subsidiaries NORDYNE LLC, and NORDYNE International are renamed Nortek Global HVAC LLC and Nortek Global HVAC Latin America, Inc., respectively
• 2022 - Company relaunch as NGH (Nortek Global HVAC)

Lum & Abner brand existed from 1931 to 1954

1931 - Brand started by Norris-Goff Mfg. in Waters, Arkansas. Produced Jenny and Peabody model heating systems.

1934 - Models began being sold by distributor in Chicago, Illinois

1935 - Introduced Edwards model heating system. Models were added by distribution company WLW in Cincinnati, OH.

1936 - Production facility moved to Pine Ridge, Arkansas

1940 - Introduced Hot Spring line heaters

1948 - Introduced Low N Ranger line of radiant air heaters

1951 - Introduced innovative Jot'em Downflow warm air model

1954 - Company ceased traditional warm and radiant air systems production, though stockpiles were sold well into the 1960's.

Early 1900's - Started as McQuay Radiator in Minneapolis, MN and manufactured radiators for the Ford Model-T.

1933 - Incorporated as McQuay Inc. and initial HVAC success was built on the first classroom unit ventilator and the first hermetic compressor for air conditioning use.

1941-1945 - McQuay manufacturing facilities were converted to support the U.S. war effort. McQuay designed and manufactured self-sealing fuel tanks and extended bomb release shackles for the Doolittle Tokyo Raider's B-25s.

1946-1950's - McQuay products and sales grew as the demand for commercial air conditioning increased. The U.S. manufacturing facilities were expanded to meet this demand. McQuay quickly became the world's largest supplier of heat transfer coils.

1951 - Created the Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC)

1960's - McQuay became a multi-national corporation by beginning overseas sales and licensing operations in Canada, England, Scotland, and Australia.

1965 -McQuay established a new division in Italy near Anzio, McQuay Europa, to manufacture 50 Hz equipment.

1968 - Daikin Applied Europe is founded from a 50/50 joint venture between McQuay International USA and an Italian partner, the company rapidly grew in the ‘70s, establishing as a European leader in the market.

1970's - McQuay product line grew to include more types of commercial HVAC and large capacity equipment, as air conditioning became viewed more as a requirement than a luxury in buildings of all types.

1971 - Created Dual Centrifugal Compressor Chiller

1980's - McQuay Europa became a wholly owned subsidiary of McQuay International Inc.

1984 - SnyderGeneral completes 3 major acquisitions to diversify beyond residential and into commercial and refrigeration. The first two acquisitions include Atlantic Richfield's ARCO Comfort Products Co. and the Halstead & Mitchell division of Halstead Industries. The next was a "friendly" takeover of McQuay Inc., though some sources indicate it was a hostile takeover. This third acquisition moved SnyderGeneral into the top 3 of the U.S. HVAC/R industry, just behind Trane Company and Carrier Corp. respectively, each owned by large multinational parent companies unlike SnyderGeneral.

1991 - Economic conditions hinder financial growth of the company. With global economic recession in full swing, SnyderGeneral sets its eyes on international markets to serve as the prime area for growth. SnyderGeneral subsequently sells Comfortmaker and Arcoaire brand lines to Inter-City Products.

1994 - The remainder of SnyderGeneral operations are sold to Hong Leong Group Malaysia, which is partially comprised of O.Y.L. Industries Berhad, a manufacturer of residential and light commercial HVAC equipment. SnyderGeneral is renamed "AAF-Mcquay Incorporated" and divided into two major companies: "AAF International" and "McQuay International". AAF International was based in Louisville, KY and manufactured air filtration products and systems including commercial, industrial, and residential air filters, as well as air pollution control products, machinery filtration, and acoustical systems. McQuay International was based in Minneapolis, MN where it designed, manufactured, marketed, and serviced all HVAC systems and products formerly undertaken by SnyderGeneral (with exception to the Arcoaire and Comfortmaker brands previously sold to Inter-City Products). McQuay International sold its products under various brand names, including Wesper, JennFan, Barry Blower, and AAF (commercial and institutional HVAC equipment).

1995 - Created custom modular commercial air handler

2002 - Created first commercial water-source heat pump using R-410A

2004 - Created frictionless magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller

2006 - McQuay International was acquired by Daikin Industries, a global manufacturer of both commercial and residential air conditioning equipment based in Osaka, Japan.

2010 - McQuay acquired HydroKool LLC of Phoenix, Arizona, a designer and manufacturer of pre-packaged, pre-engineered custom HVAC solutions.

2013 - Daikin dropped the McQuay name, ending 80 years of business for the name. European operations changed its name to Daikin Applied Europe.

1914 - D.W. Payne and his son began building gravity-type furnaces in a converted barn in Los Angeles. A short time later, the company offered the first floor furnace that could be installed in a home’s conventional crawl space area.

1933 - Introduced the first forced-air, down-discharge furnace. The company also was the first to market a forced-air furnace approved for closet installation.

1949 - Bryant, Day & Night, and Payne companies merge to form parent company "Affiliated Gas Equipment" or AGE

1950 - Payne pioneered perimeter and zone heating. Company also expanded product offerings during the 1950's with addition of remote air conditioning product line.

1955 - Carrier purchases Affiliated Gas Equipment, bringing Bryant, Day & Night, and Payne brands under the Carrier umbrella.

1962 - Payne unveiled the first horizontal forced-air furnace approved for outdoor installation as well as vertical combination heating and cooling units for school rooms, apartments, and other applications.

1974 - Carrier creates BDP Company comprised of Bryant - Day & Night - Payne brands.

1979 - United Technologies Corp. (UTC) acquires Carrier Refrigeration in forced takeover. Carrier becomes a subsidiary of UTC.

1990's - Carrier stops using the Day & Night brand name.

1999 - Carrier/United Technologies acquires Inter-City Products whose name was changed to International Comfort Products (ICP). Carrier becomes the parent company of ICP, thus incorporating all ICP brands under the Carrier umbrella.

2006 - Day & Night brand revived by ICP between 2006-2009 (sources for date vary). Unsure, but presumed to be the end of "BDP Company". Bryant and Payne currently listed under Carrier brands. Day & Night listed under ICP brands.

2020 - Carrier completes separation from United Technologies as an independent, publicly traded company - Carrier Global Corporation. The separation process was started in 2018. Carrier retains ICP and their brands. Payne remains "economical" brand of Carrier Corporation, and maintains a simple line of highly efficient and dependable products such as air conditioners, gas furnaces, heat pumps, indoor coils, duct-free splits, and small packaged products.

SEISCO no longer in business/discontinued effective December 15, 2017.^*

First U.S. patent recorded in June, 1993, with later patents following in 1999, 2000, 2001, & 2009^*

Prior to January, 2008 Seisco products were made by Microtherm, Inc.^*

Microtherm, Inc. was liquidated on December 31, 2007^*

SEISCO International Limited was founded January 1, 2008 and became the trademark and patent holder for the SEISCO family of products.^*

A.O. Smith acquired SEISCO circa 2017.^*

Despite many apparent accolades from industry sources and special recognition from several government agencies including PATH, HUD, NAHB Research Center, NREL, TVA, DOE, and EPRI, Seisco brand products were discontinued effective December 15, 2017 based on an intra-company news alert post published November 14, 2017 by distributor Hydro Pump Co. ⁽¹⁾ , and no longer available per distributor PlumbingSupply.com ^(2)*

A.O. Smith will honor Seisco parts and product warranties for as long as they are in effect.^*** (10-year limited/prorated warranty on residential products, and 5-year limited/prorated warranty on commercial products.) ^(3)*

The Seisco website (seisco.com) remains published and accessible^**; however, Technical, Service, & Sales inquiry emails listed on the company website are currently directed to A.O. Smith points of contact (@hotwater.com)^*

Google maps search indicates company listed physical address as "Permanently Closed" ^*

_{^* Information reasonably believed accurate based on extensive research conducted 10/03/2022.}

_{^** as of 10/03/2022}

^{*** _{According to Hydro Pump Co. website posting (https://www.hydropump.net/seisco-brand-products-to-be-discontinued-as-of-december-15-2017/)}}

^{(1)  _{https://www.hydropump.net/seisco-brand-products-to-be-discontinued-as-of-december-15-2017/}}

^{(2)  _{https://www.plumbingsupply.com/seiscotankless.html}}

^{(3)  _{https://www.seisco.com/warranty-info}}

1851 - I.M. Singer & Co. established by Isaac M. Singer whose patents resulted in commercially viable sewing machine

1856 - First treadle-operated machine produced.

1863 - Firm incorporated as the Singer Manufacturing Company

1867 - Builds first foreign plant in Glasgow

1902 - Builds plant in Podolsk, Russia. Singer also absorbs U.S. competitor, the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company.

1951-1957 - Domestic sewing machine market collapses due to decline in home sewing in the U.S., as well as Japanese imports taking market share. Singer begins to diversify.

1963 - Company was renamed the "Singer Company", and diversifies into electronics and aerospace.

1968 - Singer Company purchases AFCO and places it under the corporation's Climate Control Division - "Singer Furnace Company" .

1970 - Brand became Singer American Furnace

1982 - Singer Co.'s Climate Control Division is purchased by it's then president, Richard W. Snyder, and becomes SnyderGeneral Corp. More than half the bank debt ($14 million) was paid back within 9 months, and venture capitalists who invested in Snyder were bought out by early 1984.

1984 - Singer and Singer American Furnace brand names dropped by SnyderGeneral, and no longer used for HVAC systems.

1986 - Sewing machine business is spun off to a separate subsidiary as SSMC, Inc.

1987 - Singer company acquired by Paul A. Bilzerian who quickly sold off eight of the 12 remaining Singer divisions.

1990 - SSMC Inc. (remnants of original Singer Company) was sold to Semi-Tech Microelectronic's (Far East) Limited. The much-shrunken Singer Company was renamed Bicoastal Corporation.

1991 - Economic conditions hinder financial growth of the SnyderGeneral company. With global economic recession in full swing, SnyderGeneral sets its eyes on international markets to serve as the prime area for growth. SnyderGeneral subsequently sells Comfortmaker and Arcoaire brand lines to Inter-City Products.

1994 - The remainder of SnyderGeneral operations are sold to Hong Leong Group Malaysia, which is partially comprised of O.Y.L. Industries Berhad, a manufacturer of residential and light commercial HVAC equipment. SnyderGeneral is renamed "AAF-Mcquay Incorporated" and divided into two major companies: "AAF International" and "McQuay International". AAF International was based in Louisville, KY and manufactured air filtration products and systems including commercial, industrial, and residential air filters, as well as air pollution control products, machinery filtration, and acoustical systems. McQuay International was based in Minneapolis, MN where it designed, manufactured, marketed, and serviced all HVAC systems and products formerly undertaken by SnyderGeneral (with exception to the Arcoaire and Comfortmaker brands previously sold to Inter-City Products). McQuay International sold its products under various brand names, including Wesper, JennFan, Barry Blower, and AAF (commercial and institutional HVAC equipment).

2006 - McQuay International was acquired by Daikin Industries, a global manufacturer of both commercial and residential air conditioning equipment based in Osaka, Japan.

2013 - Daikin dropped the McQuay name, ending 80 years of business for the name.

Some sources indicate that Daikin currently produces a line of mini-splits under the Singer name in Thailand.

1968 - Singer Furnace Company (subsidiary of Singer Sewing Machine Company) purchases AFCO and places it under the corporation's Climate Control Division.

1970 - Became Singer American Furnace

1982 - Singer Co.'s Climate Control Division is purchased by it's then president, Richard W. Snyder, and becomes SnyderGeneral Corp. More than half the bank debt ($14 million) was paid back within 9 months, and venture capitalists who invested in Snyder were bought out by early 1984.

1984 - Snyder completes 3 major acquisitions to diversify beyond residential and into commercial and refrigeration. The first two acquisitions include Atlantic Richfield's ARCO Comfort Products Co. and the Halstead & Mitchell division of Halstead Industries. The next was a "friendly" takeover of McQuay Inc., though some sources indicate it was a hostile takeover. This third acquisition moved SnyderGeneral into the top 3 of the U.S. HVAC/R industry, just behind Trane Company and Carrier Corp. respectively, each owned by large multinational parent companies unlike SnyderGeneral.

 1984 - Singer and Singer American Furnace brand names dropped and no longer used; however, "Comfortmaker" brand was kept alive. The newly acquired ARCO comfort products line becomes "Arcoaire".

1986 - Acquires Barry Blower division of Marley-Wylain Co. and Wesper Co., a subsidiary of Paris, France-based Acova S.A. This latter acquisition of Wesper provided SnyderGeneral a large presence and share in the European markets, reaching nearly 1/3 of total sales by 1991.

1988 - Acquires American Air Filter (AAF), an air filtration equipment manufacturer with 27 international production facilities and sales coming from more than 100 countries.

1991 - Economic conditions hinder financial growth of the company. With global economic recession in full swing, SnyderGeneral sets its eyes on international markets to serve as the prime area for growth. SnyderGeneral subsequently sells Comfortmaker and Arcoaire brand lines to Inter-City Products.

1994 - The remainder of SnyderGeneral operations are sold to Hong Leong Group Malaysia, which is partially comprised of O.Y.L. Industries Berhad, a manufacturer of residential and light commercial HVAC equipment. SnyderGeneral is renamed "AAF-Mcquay Incorporated" and divided into two major companies: "AAF International" and "McQuay International". AAF International was based in Louisville, KY and manufactured air filtration products and systems including commercial, industrial, and residential air filters, as well as air pollution control products, machinery filtration, and acoustical systems. McQuay International was based in Minneapolis, MN where it designed, manufactured, marketed, and serviced all HVAC systems and products formerly undertaken by SnyderGeneral (with exception to the Arcoaire and Comfortmaker brands previously sold to Inter-City Products). McQuay International sold its products under various brand names, including Wesper, JennFan, Barry Blower, and AAF (commercial and institutional HVAC equipment).

2006 - McQuay International was acquired by Daikin Industries, a global manufacturer of both commercial and residential air conditioning equipment based in Osaka, Japan.

2010 - McQuay acquired HydroKool LLC of Phoenix, Arizona, a designer and manufacturer of pre-packaged, pre-engineered custom HVAC solutions.

2013 - Daikin dropped the McQuay name, ending 80 years of business for the name.

• 1946 - Founded by Herbert Lindahl as a small entrepreneurial company making coal and wood burning stoves out of a garage in Nashville, TN
• 1948 - Began making electric water heaters
• 1954 - Began making gas-fired water heaters
• 1957 - Began making porcelainized glass-lined tanks (basic design feature still in use today)
• 1979 - First to use foam insulation to line the space between the tank and outer jacket of the water heater
• 1996 - Becomes world's largest producer of water heaters with an average production of 10,000 units per day
• 2001 - Acquired by A.O. Smith®