Our History

While Sauer-Danfoss is only 10 years old, our collective expertise in mobile hydraulics and controls dates back more than 45 years. The company today is the result of a carefully crafted merger in May 2000 and a series of strategic acquisitions along the way – all enhancing product offerings and system solution capabilities.

The bond that has formed Sauer-Danfoss has two distinct, yet related beginnings. The two sides of the story include those of Sauer-Sundstrand and Danfoss Fluid Power.

Sauer-Sundstrand

Sundstrand Machine Tools began in 1946 and the name changed to Sundstrand Corporation in 1959. Sundstrand Hydro-Transmission evolved in 1961 as a highly regarded US-based company focusing on hydraulics. Meanwhile, Klaus Murmann of Germany began working on pumps and other hydraulic products under the name Sauer Getriebe in 1967. In 1987, Murmann established a joint-venture under the name Sundstrand-Sauer. In 1989, Sundstrand sold its interest and the company name was changed to Sauer-Sundstrand. Sauer Inc., the holding company for all Sauer-Sundstrand activities, went public on the New York and Frankfurt stock exchanges on May 11, 1998.

Danfoss Fluid Power

Established in 1933 by Mads Clausen as Danish Refrigeration Controls and Apparatus Manufacturer, the name changed to Danfoss in 1946. In 1964 the first Danfoss hydraulic product was developed in Nordborg, Denmark. Between 1990 and 1996, multiple acquisitions in the USA and one in Poland formed the beginning of a global enterprise. In 1998, Danfoss Hydraulics became an independent company under the name of Danfoss Fluid Power A/S, setting it apart from the Danfoss core business.

The Merger

The Clausen and Murmann business interests grew just miles apart in Denmark and Germany. While aware of each others’ business interests, they first came together in 1992 with discussions over development of a pump. What began as an agreement to cooperate on complementary products became a mutual interest in global growth and business development. Discussions proceeded over the years and on January 22, 2000 Jørgen Mads Clausen and Klaus Murmann signed the agreement at Glücksburg Castle in Germany, resulting in the May 3rd, 2000, merger.

What has followed is a success story of global proportion as Sauer-Danfoss continues to build its market prominence worldwide.

Danfoss A/S Acquires Controlling Interest in Sauer-Danfoss Inc.

In July 2008, Danfoss A/S acquired more than 50 percent of the outstanding common stock of Sauer-Danfoss Inc.

In November 2009, Danfoss A/S acquired the remaining shares of Sauer-Danfoss Inc. held by Sauer Holding GmbH, bringing Danfoss' share holding in Sauer-Danfoss Inc. to approximately 76 percent.

New business structure

In July 2010, the Sauer-Danfoss business structure was adjusted, which included the creation of three new businesses under separate brands:

Turolla OpenCircuitGear™ designs, manufactures, and sells open circuit gear pumps and motors
Comatrol® designs, manufactures, and sells cartridge valves and HICs
Schwarzmüller-Inverter™ designs, manufactures, and sells electric inverter products

In May 2011, Sauer-Danfoss launched a fourth business under its own brand:

Valmova™ manufactures and sells directional control valves

While Comatrol, TurollaOCG, Schwarzmüller-Inverter and Valmova are fully owned by Sauer-Danfoss Inc., they operate as smaller, more agile entities, and manage their own sales, production, and support organizations.