Danfoss

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Danfoss is a Danish industrial group that develops technologies for refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, drives, hydraulics, and energy efficiency.

Last updated November 3, 2026

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First read: Oct 31, 2026
Latest read: Nov 4, 2026

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Overview

Danfoss is a Danish multinational industrial group founded in 1933 by engineer Mads Clausen in Nordborg, on the island of Als. The company began by developing refrigeration components and grew into a broad supplier of engineered technologies for cooling, heating, air conditioning, motor control, mobile hydraulics, electrification, and energy management. Its products are sold to original-equipment manufacturers, contractors, distributors, utilities, food businesses, building operators, and industrial customers worldwide. The company originated as Dansk Køleautomatik- og Apparatfabrik. Its first major product was an expansion valve for refrigeration equipment, developed after Clausen studied imported American designs and adapted the technology for local production. Danfoss expanded into heating in the early 1940s and developed a thermostatic radiator valve in 1943. The valve was later patented and promoted as an energy-saving product, establishing a long-running connection between the brand and efficient control of energy flows. Danfoss changed its name to Danfoss in 1946 and began international expansion during the 1950s, including construction of a factory in Flensburg, Germany. It added power electronics in 1962, initially producing custom rectifiers, and entered hydraulics in 1964. Its VLT frequency-converter activities, launched in 1968, helped make variable-speed motor control a central part of the group’s industrial portfolio. These technologies allow motors and machinery to operate closer to actual demand, potentially reducing electricity consumption and improving process control. After Mads Clausen died in 1966, his widow Bitten Clausen became chair of the board while their sons were still too young to lead the business. The company subsequently developed into a multinational group with manufacturing, research, sales, and service activities across several regions. China became an important market and manufacturing base, while Europe remained central to the company’s operations and heritage. In 2014 Danfoss acquired Vacon, a Finnish manufacturer of variable-frequency drives, strengthening its position in power electronics and motor-control systems. Danfoss’s current activities span refrigeration and food cooling, air-conditioning systems, district and building heating, compressors, heat-transfer equipment, sensors, valves, controllers, drives, power modules, and hydraulic systems for mobile machinery. Its portfolio also includes electrification and powertrain technologies, including solutions associated with Danfoss Editron, as well as oil-free centrifugal compressor technology marketed under Danfoss Turbocor. Digital control and connected-building products such as Danfoss Ally extend the group’s traditional hardware businesses into monitoring and energy management. The company presents its purpose around engineering solutions that support decarbonization, energy efficiency, electrification, and more productive use of resources. Its technologies are used in buildings, supermarkets, cold chains, factories, data centers, renewable-energy systems, agricultural and construction machinery, and transportation. Danfoss remains privately held, with the Bitten og Mads Clausens Fond as its largest shareholder. Public reference material describes a workforce of more than 41,000 employees, although the precise employee count varies by reporting period.

History

Danfoss was established in 1933 by Mads Clausen as Dansk Køleautomatik- og Apparatfabrik. Working from the Nordborg area of Denmark, Clausen developed an expansion valve for refrigeration systems after examining imported American products. The device became the foundation of the business and established the company’s early specialization in refrigeration control. The company broadened its scope into heating during the early 1940s. In 1943 Clausen developed a thermostatic radiator valve, which was later patented and promoted as an energy-saving product. Danfoss changed its corporate name in 1946. By the middle of the 1940s, the business employed several hundred people and had outgrown the original farm-based premises, leading to plans for a larger factory. Internationalization began in the 1950s. Danfoss built a production facility in Flensburg, Germany, completed in 1958. The company then expanded beyond refrigeration and heating. It began producing power-electronics products in 1962, initially making custom rectifiers, and produced its first hydraulic component in Nordborg in 1964. In 1968 it started production of VLT frequency converters. Variable-frequency drives subsequently became one of the group’s defining technology areas, complementing its refrigeration, heating, and hydraulic businesses. Mads Clausen died in 1966. Because his sons were not yet old enough to manage the company, his widow, Bitten Clausen, became chair of the board. Under family stewardship, Danfoss continued to internationalize and develop a diversified industrial portfolio. The Bitten og Mads Clausens Fond was established in 1971 as a self-governing foundation and became the company’s largest shareholder, providing a long-term ownership structure. Over the following decades, Danfoss built businesses serving refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, industrial drives, and mobile hydraulics. It joined the United Nations Global Compact in 2002, linking its corporate responsibility work to international principles covering social and environmental conduct. The group also developed technologies for more efficient buildings, food cooling, industrial processes, and machinery. Danfoss sold its former domestic-compressor division in 2010; that business was renamed Secop. The company continued to expand in Asia, particularly China, where it added factories and treated the country as an important market. In 2014 it acquired Vacon, strengthening its position in variable-frequency drives and power electronics. Later activities increasingly included electrification, digital controls, data-driven energy management, and systems intended to reduce emissions from buildings, industry, transport, and mobile equipment. The modern Danfoss Group is a privately held multinational industrial business headquartered in Nordborg. Its principal technology areas include climate solutions, power solutions, drives, and related controls. The group serves equipment manufacturers and end users in sectors ranging from supermarkets and food logistics to district energy, factories, data centers, agriculture, construction, and transportation. Its strategic identity is closely associated with efficient control of energy, electrification, and engineering responses to climate and resource constraints.

2025
Hydro Holding acquisition completed
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Danfoss Power Solutions completed the acquisition of Italian hose-fittings manufacturer Hydro Holding and incorporated it into its fluid-conveyance activities.
2014
Vacon acquired
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Danfoss acquired Vacon, adding scale and technology in variable-frequency drives.
2010
Domestic-compressor division sold
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Danfoss sold its former domestic-compressor business, which became Secop.
2002
Joins United Nations Global Compact
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Danfoss joined the United Nations Global Compact and its principles on social and environmental responsibility.
1971
Family foundation established
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Bitten Clausen established the Bitten og Mads Clausens Fond, which became Danfoss’s largest shareholder.
1968
VLT frequency-converter production begins
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Danfoss began production of VLT frequency converters, establishing a major drive-technology business.
1964
Hydraulics introduced
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Danfoss produced its first hydraulic component at the Nordborg factory.
1962
Power-electronics production begins
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
The company entered power electronics with custom-built rectifiers.
1958
German factory completed
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Danfoss completed a production facility in Flensburg, Germany, supporting its international expansion.
1946
Name changed to Danfoss
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
The company adopted the Danfoss name.
1943
Thermostatic radiator valve developed
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Mads Clausen developed a thermostatic radiator valve that later became an important energy-saving product.
1933
Company founded
[1]Danfossen.wikipedia.org
Mads Clausen founded Dansk Køleautomatik- og Apparatfabrik in Nordborg, Denmark, beginning with refrigeration technology.

Products and positioning

A privately held global industrial technology group positioned around energy efficiency, electrification, climate control, industrial automation, and decarbonization.

Refrigeration · 1933
Danfoss refrigeration controls
This category includes expansion valves, controllers, sensors, compressors, and related components used to regulate refrigerant flow and temperature. Refrigeration products serve commercial food cooling, industrial refrigeration, cold-chain, and air-conditioning applications.
Heating controls · 1943
Thermostatic radiator valves
Danfoss thermostatic radiator valves regulate heat output from radiators according to room temperature. The product family grew from Mads Clausen’s 1943 invention and remains associated with room-level heating control and energy conservation.
Variable-frequency drives · 1968
VLT drives
VLT frequency converters control the speed and torque of electric motors. They are used in pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, production equipment, and building systems to improve process control and align motor energy use with demand.
Compressors
Danfoss Turbocor
Danfoss Turbocor is associated with oil-free centrifugal compressor technology for commercial and industrial air-conditioning and cooling systems. The offering is designed for efficient, electronically controlled compression in large cooling installations.
Electrification
Danfoss Editron
Danfoss Editron develops electric and hybrid powertrain technologies, including motors, generators, power converters, and system controls. Applications include marine equipment, off-highway machinery, and other vehicles requiring electrified propulsion or auxiliary power.
Connected heating controls
Danfoss Ally
Danfoss Ally is a connected heating-control offering intended to let users monitor and adjust heating systems through digital interfaces. It extends Danfoss’s heating-controls business into connected-home and energy-management use cases.
Mobile hydraulics · 1964
Danfoss Power Solutions hydraulics
Danfoss Power Solutions supplies hydraulic components, controls, valves, motors, pumps, and related systems for mobile machinery. Customers and applications include construction, agriculture, material handling, and other off-highway equipment.

Controversies

2026
French PM orders ANSSI to investigate supermarket refrigeration cyberattack
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ordered France's National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) to investigate a large-scale cyberattack that affected connected refrigerators at several major food retailers across France, according to a person in his office. ANSSI identified a vulnerability in software supplied by Danish company Danfoss, whose affected units were running outdated firmware according to the company. France was coordinating with European counterparts because other countries could also be affected, and authorities were assessing whether other French companies were at risk.
Source
2026
Cyberattack on Danfoss refrigeration equipment
A cyberattack targeted the control systems of Danfoss refrigeration equipment used by retail chains. According to reporting, hackers remotely activated defrost mode on refrigeration equipment in stores across several European countries, causing goods to spoil. The incident concerned the equipment's control systems rather than the stores' own systems as described in the source. No further details on the attackers, the number of affected stores, or the response were provided in the source material.
Source
2011
Refrigeration-compressor cartel
Danfoss was fined in European and United States proceedings connected with unlawful coordination among refrigeration-compressor manufacturers between approximately 2004 and 2007. The conduct was treated as a competition violation that harmed customers through reduced competition and coordinated pricing.
Source
2010
Debate over wartime commercial activity
Danish press reports revisited claims that Danfoss products had been sold to German occupying forces during the Second World War. Danfoss disputed the characterization of direct trading, while historical accounts commissioned or published about the occupation were discussed in relation to their independence.
Source

2025
Acquire Hydro HoldingM&A
Background
Danfoss Power Solutions expanded its fluid-conveyance capabilities through an acquisition in the hose-fittings sector.
Action taken
Danfoss completed the acquisition of Italian manufacturer Hydro Holding after regulatory approval.
Aftermath
Hydro Holding was integrated as a separate business unit within Danfoss Power Solutions’ fluid-conveyance division.
Source
2014
Acquire VaconM&A
Background
Danfoss sought to strengthen its position in variable-frequency drives and power electronics.
Action taken
The group acquired Finnish drive manufacturer Vacon.
Aftermath
Vacon’s technology and operations became part of Danfoss’s broader drives and power-solutions activities.
Source
2010
Divest domestic-compressor businessM&A
Background
Danfoss restructured its compressor activities and separated its former domestic-compressor division.
Action taken
The domestic-compressor business was sold and subsequently renamed Secop.
Aftermath
Danfoss retained focus on its wider refrigeration, climate, controls, drives, and hydraulics portfolio.
Source

Recent events

2026.11.02
Reported2026.11.03
Cyberattack on Danfoss refrigeration equipment[7]Cyberattack on Danfoss refrigeration equipmentsputnikglobe.com
Retail chains faced an attack on the control systems of Danfoss refrigeration equipment. The article reports that hackers remotely activated defrost mode on refrigeration equipment in stores across several European countries, spoiling goods.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.13
Cyberattack disrupts refrigeration at French supermarkets, heating fridges to 50°C[8]网络攻击致法国超市联网制冷系统升温至50°C并造成大范围中断infotechlead.com
A large-scale cyberattack on connected refrigeration systems disrupted hundreds of French supermarkets, raising temperatures to as high as 50 degrees Celsius for about six hours overnight, spoiling food and causing fires. Intermarche reported approximately 150 affected stores, Carrefour 80 affected supermarkets, Cooperative U 80 of roughly 2,000 stores, and Monoprix about 25 locations (5 percent of its approximately 490 French stores). Retailers discarded affected food to eliminate health risks; potential losses were put at up to €200,000 at a larger hypermarket, with Intermarche's CEO estimating tens of millions of euros in nationwide losses in a single day. ANSSI identified a vulnerability in software supplied by Danfoss, which said the affected units were running outdated firmware, and a threat-intelligence analyst said Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany and Belgium had also been affected.
2026.10.12
Reported2026.10.13
Cyberattack disrupts refrigeration at French supermarket chains, forcing disposal of spoiled food[9]网络攻击扰乱法国连锁超市制冷系统，门店被迫丢弃变质食品hindustantimes.com
A cyberattack reported on Monday (2026-10-12), affecting Cooperative U's refrigeration systems since Sunday night, remotely triggered forced defrosting of refrigeration systems in hundreds of French stores, causing temperatures to rise and forcing retailers to discard spoiled fresh and frozen food; Paris prosecutors confirmed the attack and said fires had also been sparked. E. Leclerc, Intermarche, Netto and Cooperative U confirmed being targeted, with at least 300 Intermarche and Netto stores, more than 100 Cooperative U outlets and several E. Leclerc stores affected; an industry website reported Carrefour Market and Monoprix were also hit, which those chains had not confirmed. The targeted controls were Danfoss refrigeration regulators including the AK-SM800 and AK-SC355, most belonging to an older generation that no longer receives software or security updates, and France's cyber security agency identified a vulnerability in the Danish company's software and contacted the vendor.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.12
French prosecutors open cyber-crime investigation into supermarket fridge hack[5]French PM orders ANSSI to investigate supermarket refrigeration cyberattackbbc.co.uk
French prosecutors opened a specific cyber-crime investigation into the attack that disrupted supermarket refrigeration, with the Paris prosecutor's office calling it a large-scale cyber-attack affecting the refrigerators of several major food retail chains across France.
2026.10.12
Reported2026.10.12
Cyber attack heats fridges at hundreds of French supermarkets, spoiling food[5]French PM orders ANSSI to investigate supermarket refrigeration cyberattackbbc.co.uk
Overnight into 12 October 2026, hackers took control of refrigeration-management software provided by Danish engineering firm Danfoss, forcing fridges and freezers at hundreds of French supermarkets to heat up and spoiling fresh and frozen food estimated to be worth millions of euros. More than 100 Coopérative U supermarkets, 180 Intermarché and Netto stores, 80 Carrefour stores, about 5% of Monoprix stores and E.Leclerc shops were hit. Retailers discarded or removed affected food from sale and disconnected further stores from the internet; Danfoss said the affected cold units were older models whose security software could not be updated.
2026.10.11
Reported2026.10.13
Cyberattack disrupts refrigeration at French supermarkets, causing food losses and fires[10]网络攻击破坏法国超市制冷系统，造成食品损失和火灾grenadachronicle.com
A large-scale cyberattack remotely triggered the forced defrosting of connected refrigeration systems at hundreds of supermarkets in France, disrupting refrigeration from Sunday night, raising fridge and freezer temperatures to as high as 50 degrees Celsius, destroying stocks of fresh and frozen products, and causing fires at several stores. At least 300 Intermarche or Netto shops, more than 100 Cooperative U outlets, 80 Carrefour supermarkets, about 5 percent of Monoprix's roughly 490 stores and several E Leclerc stores were affected; Intermarche CEO Thierry Cotillard estimated losses of tens of millions of euros nationwide in a single day. ANSSI identified a vulnerability in software supplied by Danish company Danfoss, which said the affected units were running outdated firmware, and an analyst said Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany and Belgium were also affected.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
2026.10.11
Reported2026.10.13
Cyberattack manipulates Danfoss refrigeration controllers across hundreds of French supermarkets, spoiling stock and triggering fires[6]French PM orders ANSSI to investigate supermarket refrigeration cyberattackeurasiareview.com
A cyberattack overnight on 11–12 October manipulated Danfoss AK-SM and AK-SC refrigeration-management systems across hundreds of French supermarkets; defrost and temperature settings were reportedly altered to as high as 50 degrees Celsius, spoiling fresh and frozen stock and triggering fires at some premises. CERT-FR confirmed numerous compromises, while the perpetrators, the intrusion route, and any AI involvement remain publicly unestablished.
2022.02.24
Reported2022.02.25
Danfoss launches variable-speed scroll compressor solution[11]丹佛斯发布变频涡旋压缩机方案prnasia.com
Danfoss launched the VCH115 variable-speed scroll compressor and CDC100 inverter combination, a solution developed for China's low-ambient commercial heat-pump market.
2021.08.02
Reported2021.08.03
Eaton completes sale of hydraulics business to Danfoss[12]伊顿完成向丹佛斯出售液压业务prnasia.com
Eaton announced that it had completed the sale of its hydraulics business to Danfoss for $3.3 billion.
2021.08.01
Reported2021.08.02
Danfoss completes acquisition of Eaton hydraulics business[13]丹佛斯完成收购伊顿液压业务constructionequipment.com
Danfoss finalized its $3.3 billion acquisition of Eaton’s hydraulics business after receiving necessary regulatory approvals and meeting closing conditions.

Sources23 sources

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