Carrier Global, founded in 1915, manufactures HVAC systems, refrigeration, and security equipment. With over 52,000 employees, it operates in 160 countries worldwide. Acquired by United Technologies in 1979, Carrier became an independent company again in 2020.
Willis Haviland Carrier designed the first modern air-conditioning system on July 17, 1902. This invention revolutionized the way people experienced hot and steamy weather, leading to significant improvements in daily life and work productivity.
By October 1903, the first modern air conditioner designed by Willis Carrier was deemed successful, marking a significant milestone in the development of air conditioning technology. This achievement was a result of Carrier's research and Irvine Lyle's support and salesmanship.
On September 16, 1904, Willis Carrier applied for a patent for his invention called 'Apparatus for Treating Air', which was the first spray-type air conditioning equipment designed to control moisture in the air by heating or cooling water.
On January 2, 1906, U.S. patent number 808897 was issued for Willis Carrier's 'Apparatus for Treating Air', marking a significant milestone in the development of air conditioning technology.
At the end of 1907, Willis Carrier established the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America as a subsidiary of Buffalo Forge Company, marking the beginning of a new era in air conditioning engineering and marketing.
In 1911, Willis Carrier introduced the Rational Psychrometric Formulae, revolutionizing the design of air-conditioning systems by bringing scientific principles to the process. This innovation propelled Carrier to international fame and became an indispensable tool for engineers for generations.
In 1914, Willis Carrier developed the Rational Psychrometric Formulae, a groundbreaking scientific approach that revolutionized the design of air conditioning systems. This formula has remained a fundamental tool in HVAC engineering for decades.
In 1915, Willis Carrier, along with his future business partner J. Irvine Lyle and five other engineers, established Carrier Engineering Corporation as an independent entity. This marked a significant milestone in the history of air conditioning technology.
In 1917, Willis Carrier hired Margaret Ingels as the first woman air-conditioning engineer in the United States, before women were allowed to vote. She later served on President Herbert Hoover’s Conference on Home Building and Home Ownership.
Carrier co-founder Alfred E. “Ned” Stacey is captured in an iconic photo seated in the company’s Newark, New Jersey, research laboratory shortly after its founding in 1918.
The Mechanical Weather Man, with assistance from Carrier’s president, J. Irvine Lyle, authored a book in 1919 showcasing the advantages of Carrier’s modern air conditioning in various industries.
In 1920, Carrier Engineering Corporation acquired their first factory in Newark, New Jersey, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.
In 1921, Carrier Engineering purchased a building in Newark, New Jersey to expand its manufacturing capabilities for centrifugal refrigerators and establish offices for the company's headquarters.
In May 1922, Willis Carrier introduced the centrifugal refrigeration machine, a groundbreaking innovation that extended modern air conditioning from factories to theaters, offices, and homes, providing cool and comfortable environments for the general public.
In May 1923, Carrier partnered with three fan manufacturers to establish the Aerofin Corporation, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional heat exchangers, further advancing modern air conditioning technology.
In 1924, Carrier made historic installations of centrifugal chillers in department stores like J.L. Hudson Company in Detroit, marking a significant milestone in the widespread adoption of comfort air conditioning for public spaces.
In October 1925, Carrier University was established with Willis Carrier as president, aiming to provide education and training for employees. The university started with six professors and 20 students.
In 1926, the T.W. Patterson Building in Fresno, California, became the first multi-story building to be air conditioned by Carrier, marking a significant milestone in the history of air conditioning.
In 1927, Carrier provided air conditioning to the National Broadcasting Company's new building on Fifth Avenue in New York City. This marked a significant milestone in creating an ideal broadcasting center with advanced cooling technology.
In 1928, Carrier installed two 76-ton centrifugal chillers in the Morro Velho Gold Mine in Brazil, a move that significantly improved working conditions for miners globally.
In February 1929, Willis Carrier delivered a speech predicting the future importance of air conditioning. He foresaw a time when air conditioning would transition from a luxury to a necessity for human comfort.
In September 1929, Carrier announced the opening of a permanent Engineering and Sales office in Dallas, reflecting the company's growth and success in the American Southwest.
In March 1930, Carrier made its first sale of window-sill-height Weathermaster units to the Superheater Company of East Chicago, Indiana, to air condition a two-story building.
In August 1930, the California Bank of Los Angeles contracted for 490 Carrier Weathermaster units to air condition its 15-story building.
In August 1931, King Prajadhipok of Siam visited Carrier's Newark facility and was featured in the Carrier Courier along with Willis Carrier and company senior executives. This event marked a significant moment in Carrier's history.
In 1939, Carrier introduced 'The Igloo of Tomorrow', showcasing innovative advancements in air-conditioning technology. This innovation marked a significant milestone in the industry.
In 1942, Carrier celebrated the 20th anniversary of Willis Carrier's invention of the centrifugal chiller. This innovation, known for popularizing air conditioning, played a crucial role in supporting the Allied troops during World War II by enhancing the efficient production of war supplies.
Carrier's contributions during the war in 1944 included providing refrigeration products that ensured the safe transportation and storage of perishable food items for soldiers stationed far away from their homes.
After World War II, Carrier developed separate direct sales and dealer sales teams. In 1946, the first national sales meeting was held, with 300 dealers and distributors in attendance.
On October 7, 1950, Willis Carrier, the founder of Carrier Engineering Corporation, passed away at the age of 74 in New York City.
Margaret Ingels wrote a book about Willis Haviland Carrier, who is known as the Father of Air Conditioning.
In 1955, Carrier merged with Affiliated Gas Equipment, Inc., which owned several heating and cooling companies including Bryant Heater Co., Day & Night Water Heater Co., and Payne Furnace & Supply Co.
In 1957, a hostess was captured turning the control dial on a tiny one-horsepower Roomette air conditioner for mobile homes at the Mobile Homes Show in the New York Coliseum. A Carrier centrifugal chiller was also showcased providing cooling for the nine acres of exhibit space.
In 1968, Carrier Transicold introduced the first front-wall refrigeration unit for containers, marking a significant innovation in refrigerated transport. This innovation paved the way for further advancements in efficient diesel/electric installations and the use of natural refrigerants.
In 1971, Carrier demonstrated its leadership by providing cooling solutions for 110 floors of a building, showcasing the company's expertise in large-scale cooling systems. This event highlighted Carrier's capabilities in the HVAC industry.
Carrier Corporation was acquired by United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in July 1979, leading to a change in ownership and management.
In 1980, Carrier transitioned to digital technology, providing efficient cooling solutions to data centers worldwide, contributing to the accessibility of the internet for people globally.
In 1981, Carrier provided cooling systems for Sydney Tower, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere.
In 1983, Carrier acquired air-conditioning manufacturers and brands such as Delchi (Italy), Springer (Brazil), Daewoo (South Korea), Interclisa (Spain), and Miraco (Egypt), as part of its globalization strategy.
In 1985, Carrier Transicold reached a milestone by manufacturing its 25,000th container unit.
In April 1986, Carrier installed cooling systems for New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, designed to accommodate up to 85,000 people.
In 1988, Carrier introduced the Carrier Refrigeration Management System to safely recycle CFC-11, a refrigerant linked to ozone depletion, showcasing the company's commitment to environmental sustainability.
Throughout the 1990s, Carrier demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, emphasizing education and the use of eco-friendly refrigerants ahead of industry regulations.
In 1991, Carrier was named a partner in the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Lights program, demonstrating its commitment to reducing energy use and pollution.
In 1992, Carrier acquired Miraco as part of its strategy to expand its global footprint and market presence.
In 1993, Carrier stopped producing chillers that contained CFCs in the United States, surpassing the U.S. Clean Air Act deadline by two years and leading developing countries by 16 years.
In 1994, Carrier announced the decision to start phasing out the use of CFCs globally ahead of regulatory requirements in many markets.
In 1995, Carrier saw more than 50% of its sales coming from outside the United States, a significant shift from just 10% 15 years earlier, with a focus on overseas factories for production.
By mid-1996, Carrier had established a significant presence in the Far East with 33 companies, 17 joint ventures, 15 factories, and thousands of employees, showcasing its aggressive pursuit of business in emerging markets.
Carrier was highlighted for its global HVAC business and research and development spending in August 1998.
Toshiba Carrier Corp. aimed for global expansion in 1998.
In August 1999, Carrier acquired International Comfort Products Corporation (ICP) for $490 million in cash and $230 million in debt. ICP specialized in residential and light commercial HVAC equipment, with worldwide revenues of $733.5 million in 1998.
By the year 2000, Carrier's revenues had reached $8.43 billion, and the company acquired Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc. for approximately $700 million, solidifying its position as one of the top global companies.
In October 2001, Geraud Darnis, a Frenchman with a background in financial and management positions at Carrier, took over as president, replacing Ayers. This change was made as part of Carrier's efforts to improve profitability amidst the economic downturn of the early 2000s.
In March 2002, Carrier announced the closure of its manufacturing plant in Lewisburg, Tennessee, as part of its cost-cutting efforts during the economic downturn. This decision impacted the workforce and production operations in the area.
In October 2003, Carrier announced the closure of its air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturing plant near Syracuse, ending 66 years of manufacturing in the area and shifting production to plants in China and Singapore.
On March 15, 2004, Carrier acquired the refrigeration subsidiary of Linde.
In 2006, Carrier acquired Sensitech, Inc., a provider of logistics and tracking technologies based in Beverly, Massachusetts.
In 2008, the Beijing National Stadium, known as the 'Bird's Nest,' utilized Carrier air-handling units and introduced the first Chinese-produced HVAC product certified by EN 1886, the top international HVAC standard.
Carrier's factories in Charlotte, NC, and Huntington, IN received LEED certification from the US Green Building Council in 2009.
In 2010, Carrier Transicold made history by introducing the first natural refrigerant container unit, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. This milestone marked a significant advancement in refrigerated transport technology.
In 2011, Carrier’s Monterrey Commercial plant became the first industrial facility in the HVAC industry to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold Certification.
In 2012, Carrier commemorated the 110th anniversary of the invention of modern air conditioning.
In September 2013, Carrier, Otis, and United Technologies Fire and Security were combined into UTC Building & Industrial Systems.
On November 30, 2016, Carrier announced an agreement with President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence to continue manufacturing gas furnaces in Indianapolis, preserving over 1,000 jobs. The deal also included a state incentive package of $7 million over 10 years.
In May 2017, Carrier informed the state of Indiana about cutting 632 jobs from its Indianapolis factory as part of a previously announced plan. Layoffs started in July 2017 with a severance package that included one week's salary for each year of employment, education, job training, and 6 months of health insurance.
The New York Times reported on August 10, 2018, that Carrier's Indianapolis furnace plant faced issues like low morale and absenteeism. Employees feared an imminent factory shutdown, believing Carrier had delayed the closure for political reasons.
On November 26, 2018, United Technologies announced the spin-off of UTC Climate, Controls & Security as an independent company named Carrier Global Corporation.
In April 2020, United Technologies announced the completion of the separation and spin-off of Carrier as an independent entity.
Carrier Global Corporation is a leading provider of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration solutions. It is a world-renowned company known for its innovative products and services.
On April 25, 2023, Carrier Global revealed its plan to acquire Viessmann Climate Solutions from the Viessmann Group while divesting its Commercial Refrigeration business and most of its Fire & Security businesses.