100 years is a remarkably long life, for a person or a company. Very few people live to see their 100th birthday, and most businesses fail to last 100 days in operation. Here in 2021, we proudly mark the occasion of the 100th anniversary of AAF.
Back in 1921, World War I was fresh in people’s minds, and the Industrial Revolution had transformed much of the world from an economy based on farming to one based on manufacturing. Engineer and entrepreneur Bill Reed 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, Reed founded the Reed Air Filter Company. The company established its first offices and manufacturing plant on Central Avenue in 1924. Five years later, Reed merged his company with seven other manufacturers to form the American Air Filter Company, or AAF.
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1921
Bill Reed founds Reed Air Filter Company and manufactures the first commercial air filter in Louisville, KY USA, the Reed Air Filter.
1924
Akira Yamada founds Osaka Kinzoku Kogyosho Limited Partnership, the company that would later become Daikin, in Osaka; company begins production of aircraft radiator tubes and other products.
1929
Reed Air Filter Company merges with seven leading air filter manufacturers to form American Air Filter Company Inc.
1932
Introduced the Type D RotoClone, a revolutionary breakthrough in dust control.
1935
Daikin succeeds in fluorocarbon synthesis, begins mass production in 1942. – how to make this clear?
1936
American Air Filter (AAF) introduces the first high-efficiency box‐style filter.
1941-1942
AAF expands production in Louisville, KY by opening 2 more plants.
1950
AAF introduces fiberglass replacement filters to the residential market.
Flanders Filters founded by A.R. Allan, Jr. to supply filters to the Atomic Energy Commission.
1951
Daikin begins production of packaged air conditioners.
1950s
American Air Filter expands into Canada and Europe.
1953
AAF introduces Roll‐O‐Mat®, the first automatic self‐renewable media filter.
1954
First reverse-jet dry fabric dust collector introduced.
1961
AAF introduces DriPak®, the first bag‐style filter.
1963
AAF introduces VariCel®, the first modern high‐efficiency box‐style filter.
1964
AAF introduces the AstroCel® HEPA filter.
Flanders becomes the first filtration company to also make their own HEPA media, leading to the first separator – less HEPA filter in 1968.
1965
AAF’s first gas turbine filtration installation.
1966-1968
AAF opens plants and begins manufacturing filters in Europe, Asian headquarters established later in 1970.
1969
NASA lunar module uses AAF filters in Apollo 11 mission to moon.
Flanders develops the first fluid seal for HEPA filters and later developed the first silicone-based seal in 1986.
1970
AmerKleen line of diesel engine intake filters and housings developed.
1978
AAF introduces first V‐Bank HEPA filter.
Flanders makes the first ULPA filter.
1979
Filtration systems provided for nuclear reactor accident at Three Mile Island.
1982
Daikin develops Japan’s first Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) system.
1988
AAF pioneers HEPA technology in gas turbines.
1989
AAF introduces VariCel® II, the first high‐efficiency mini‐pleat 4″ deep filter.
1991
Daikin establishes Daikin America, Inc.
1993
Flanders supplies HEPA filters to the International Space Station.
1996
Flanders Filters expands into the retail market.
1997
First modular expandable baghouse. – P&I
1999
AAF begins development of PTFE filters with Daikin Industries.
2000
AAF introduces PerfectPleat®, the first self‐supported pleated filter.
2002
AAF expands production in China.
2005
Expanded Gas-Phase product line.
2006
AAF becomes member of Daikin Group.
2009
AAF introduces MEGAcel® I, first HEPA filter with ePTFE filtration technology.
2013
AAF introduces MEGApleat® filter.
2014
AAF introduces VariCel® 2+ filter with Impress® Technology.
2015
AAF acquires and opens a network of service operations and warehouses across the US.
2016
AAF merges with Flanders to form AAF Flanders in U.S.
2016-2020
AAF introduces software and technology packages such as TCO Diagnostic® , Sensor360®, and VisionAir™ Clean – check on all technologies
AAF opens Clean Air Innovation & Research Center in Jeffersonville, IN.
AAF introduces REDClean Media®, the advanced filtration technology product range that optimizes dust collector’s performance
AAF Acquires Dinair Group AB to form one of the strongest networks within Europe’s filtration industry
2017
AAF introduces N-hance® the world’s first E12 high velocity filter for gas turbines offshore
AAF acquires RIS Facility Management GmbH, a leading provider of Indoor Air Quality services in Germany
2019
AAF expands its dust collection portfolio by launching new Plug&Play filtration units to meet the needs of different key industrial markets
2020
AAF develops study at CAC that demonstrates AAF filters are effective against coronavirus surrogate viruses.
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