Sullair
American industrial air-compressor brand specializing in portable, stationary, and engineered rotary-screw compressor systems.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Sullair is an American industrial equipment brand known primarily for rotary-screw air compressors and related compressed-air systems. The company was established in 1965 in Michigan City, Indiana, by Donald C. Hoodes, a former Joy Manufacturing executive. From its beginning, Sullair concentrated on adapting fluid-injected rotary-screw technology for the United States market, at a time when reciprocating piston compressors remained widely used. The company licensed technology associated with Svenska Rotor Maskiner of Sweden and introduced its first portable compressor in 1966. A central feature of Sullair’s development was its decision to focus on rotary-screw compressors rather than maintaining a broad commitment to piston technology. By 1969, it had developed a range covering both portable and stationary applications. Rotary-screw machines offered continuous-duty operation and were well suited to construction, mining, manufacturing, process industries, and other applications requiring dependable compressed air. This specialization became the foundation of Sullair’s expansion and helped establish the brand as a significant American supplier of industrial compressed-air equipment. Sullair’s product scope broadened during the 1970s and 1980s. The company added stationary compressors, refrigeration compressors, rock-drilling equipment, heat-recovery systems, oil-free dry-screw machines, tandem two-stage compressors, gas compressors, mining equipment, and pneumatic tools. It also introduced 24KT synthetic compressor fluid, an extended-life lubricant designed to reduce fluid replacement requirements, and later developed variable-speed-drive equipment intended to match motor output with changing air demand. These developments positioned Sullair not only as a compressor manufacturer but also as a provider of integrated air-power and process-compression solutions. The brand’s business is commonly organized into three broad areas. Portable Air Power consists mainly of towable or vehicle-mounted compressor packages, often powered by diesel engines and designed for construction, road work, mining, drilling, and other mobile applications. Stationary Air Power includes fixed compressor installations and associated treatment equipment, including dryers, filters, aftercoolers, controls, and system components. Original Equipment Manufacturer components are customized compressor packages built for integration into drilling, process-gas, offshore, and other industrial assemblies. Sullair has also supplied engineered systems for demanding pressure, purity, and reliability requirements. International expansion has been an important part of the company’s history. Sullair established or supported operations in Australia, Singapore, Argentina, China, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other markets. Manufacturing and service capabilities have included Michigan City in the United States, Shenzhen and Suzhou in China, and regional offices serving Australasia and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The brand’s international network has allowed it to combine standardized compressor platforms with locally configured service and distribution arrangements. Sullair changed ownership several times. It became a public company in 1972 and was later listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Sundstrand Corporation acquired it in 1984; United Technologies subsequently incorporated Sundstrand’s industrial activities into its broader corporate structure. In 2012, the industrial businesses that included Sullair were sold by United Technologies to an investment group led by The Carlyle Group and BC Partners, forming part of Accudyne Industries. Hitachi acquired Sullair from Accudyne Industries in April 2017 for approximately US$1.245 billion. Sullair now operates as a Hitachi Group industrial brand, complementing Hitachi’s wider industrial-equipment and energy-efficiency activities. Today, Sullair’s market identity rests on durable compressed-air equip…
History
Sullair was founded in 1965 in Michigan City, Indiana, by Donald C. Hoodes after his departure from Joy Manufacturing. Hoodes brought several former Joy colleagues into the new business and obtained rights connected with Swedish rotary-screw compressor technology developed by Svenska Rotor Maskiner. The company’s early strategy was distinctive: instead of treating rotary-screw equipment as one technology among many, it made the technology the center of its product program. The first Sullair portable compressor was shipped in 1966. A stationary compressor followed in 1968, and the company adopted the Sullair name as its business identity. By 1969, it had developed a portfolio of portable and stationary asymmetric rotary-screw compressors. The company moved its headquarters and principal manufacturing operations to its long-standing Michigan City location during this period. Sullair became publicly held in 1972. During the 1970s it expanded geographically and technically, establishing an Australian subsidiary, developing additional manufacturing capacity, licensing production in Japan, and creating operations in Singapore and Argentina. Product development included refrigeration compressors, rock drills, the 24KT synthetic compressor-fluid system, the EES heat-recovery system, and oil-free dry-screw compressors. The 24KT system supported longer service intervals and was associated with an extended warranty program. During the 1980s, Sullair added mining equipment, tandem two-stage compressors, gas compressors for hydrocarbon and chemical-processing applications, and pneumatic tools. It also became listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Sundstrand Corporation acquired the company in 1984. Under the subsequent United Technologies and Hamilton Sundstrand ownership structure, Sullair continued to develop compressed-air products, including filtered and after-cooled systems and integrated compressor packages. The 1990s and 2000s brought further international and product expansion. Sullair entered China through a Shenzhen joint venture in 1994 and later expanded Chinese manufacturing with a Suzhou facility. In 2001, it introduced variable-speed-drive compressors designed to adjust motor output in response to changing demand. The company acquired Australian compressor manufacturer Champion Compressors in 2002 and subsequently operated there as Sullair Australia. Other developments included a 500-psig portable rotary-screw package, a joint venture involving centrifugal compressor systems, and the S-energy stationary compressor range. In 2012, United Technologies sold Sullair, along with Sundyne and Milton Roy, to an investment consortium led by The Carlyle Group and BC Partners. The businesses became part of Accudyne Industries. Hitachi acquired Sullair from Accudyne in April 2017 for approximately US$1.245 billion. The transaction made Sullair part of Hitachi’s industrial portfolio. The brand continues to serve global markets through portable and stationary compressor equipment, engineered systems, OEM packages, and related air-treatment and service offerings.
- 2017
Acquired by Hitachi
[1]Hitachi acquires Sullair from Accudyne Industries for approximately US$1.245 billion.
- 2012
Sullair enters Accudyne Industries
[1]The business is sold by United Technologies to an investor group and becomes part of Accudyne Industries.
- 2008
Suzhou manufacturing facility opens
[1]Sullair expands its Chinese manufacturing footprint with a second facility in Suzhou.
- 2006
S-energy stationary range introduced
[1]Sullair releases the S-energy line of stationary compressors, which receives a Plant Engineering Product of the Year award.
- 2002
Champion Compressors acquired
[1]Sullair acquires Australian rotary-screw compressor manufacturer Champion Compressors.
- 2001
Variable-speed-drive compressors launched
[1]Sullair introduces compressors that vary motor output to better match changing demand.
- 1994
China entry
[1]Sullair establishes a Shenzhen-based joint venture as part of its expansion in China.
- 1984
Acquired by Sundstrand
[1]Sundstrand Corporation purchases Sullair.
- 1979
Oil-free dry-screw line introduced
[1]The company adds oil-free dry-screw compressors to its product portfolio.
- 1975
24KT synthetic compressor fluid introduced
[1]Sullair introduces a long-life synthetic compressor fluid intended to reduce replacement requirements.
Products and positioning
Industrial compressed-air specialist emphasizing rotary-screw technology, rugged portable equipment, engineered stationary systems, energy efficiency, and lifecycle service.
Portable air compressors
Portable Air Power
Portable Air Power comprises mobile compressor packages used where compressed air must be taken to a job site or mounted on a service vehicle. Equipment is commonly towable or vehicle-integrated and may use diesel engines. Typical applications include construction, mining, drilling, road work, and other demanding outdoor operations where equipment must withstand vibration, weather, and frequent relocation.
Stationary air-compressor systems
Stationary Air Power
Stationary Air Power covers fixed rotary-screw compressor installations for factories, processing plants, workshops, and other facilities. These systems can be configured with air treatment, filtration, cooling, controls, and recovery equipment to meet application-specific flow, pressure, purity, and reliability requirements. Sullair positions stationary compressors as part of a broader compressed-air system rather than as isolated machines.
Stationary rotary-screw compressors · 2006
S-energy
S-energy is a Sullair stationary-compressor product line introduced in the mid-2000s. It represents the company’s focus on packaged industrial rotary-screw systems for plant utilities and production processes. The range was recognized by Plant Engineering as a Product of the Year in 2006, according to the referenced company history.
Compressor-fluid technology · 1975
24KT
24KT is Sullair’s synthetic compressor-fluid technology, introduced in 1975. Its formulation was designed to resist breakdown and extend service intervals compared with conventional compressor fluids. Sullair associated the technology with extended warranties on qualifying machines, making it both a maintenance proposition and a product differentiator.
Engineered compressor components
OEM Compressor Packages
Sullair supplies customized compressor units and portable packages for integration into larger customer systems. OEM applications identified in the referenced material include drilling, process gas, and offshore platforms. These products are built around customer-specified performance and dimensional requirements rather than a single standardized end-user configuration.
Brand decisions
2017
Sale to HitachiM&ABackground
Sullair was operating within Accudyne Industries after the 2012 sale of Hamilton Sundstrand’s industrial businesses.
Action taken
Hitachi acquired Sullair from Accudyne Industries.
Aftermath
Sullair became part of Hitachi’s industrial-equipment portfolio and continued operating as a compressed-air brand.
Acquisition consideration. US$1.245 billion (April 2017)
2001
Launch of variable-speed-drive compressorsProduct launchBackground
Compressed-air demand can fluctuate significantly across industrial facilities, causing fixed-speed equipment to operate inefficiently at partial load.
Action taken
Sullair launched variable-speed-drive compressors with controls intended to adjust motor output to current demand.
Aftermath
The launch strengthened the brand’s energy-efficiency positioning in stationary compressed-air systems.
1965
Commitment to rotary-screw technologyStrategyBackground
The company entered a market in which reciprocating compressors were still widely used.
Action taken
Sullair concentrated its early product development and domestic commercialization efforts on fluid-injected rotary-screw compressors.
Aftermath
The decision became a defining part of Sullair’s identity and supported its expansion into portable and stationary industrial applications.
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