Our History

Join us for a walk through our celebrated history of air filtration solutions that set the standards for the ever-changing clean air needs of our world.
1920

1921

Bill Reed founds Reed Air Filter Company and manufactures his commercial air filter in Louisville, KY, The Reed Air Filter.

1924

Akira Yamada founds Osaka Kinzoku Kogyosho Limited Partnership, the company that would later become Daikin in Osaka, Japan. The 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. (AAF).
American Air Filter Company Branded Truck in 1929
1930

1932

AAF introduces the Type D RotoClone, a revolutionary breakthrough in dust control.
Group of AAF Male Employees Posing For Picture in 1932

1935

Daikin succeeds in fluorocarbon synthesis, begins mass production in 1942.

1936

1st Filtration
AAF introduces the first high-efficiency, box‐style filter.
1940

1941-1942

AAF expands production in Louisville, KY, by opening two more plants.
Parking lot view of AAF Louisville, KY plant in 1941
1950

1950s

AAF expands into Canada and Europe.

1950

AAF introduces fiberglass replacement filters to the residential market.

1950

1st Filtration
Flanders Filters founded by A.R. Allan, Jr. supplies filters to the Atomic Energy Commission.
Flanders Filters founder, A.R. Allan, Jr.

1951

Daikin begins production of packaged air conditioners.

1953

1st Filtration
AAF introduces Roll‐O‐Mat®, the first automatic self‐renewable media filter.

1954

First reverse-jet dry fabric dust collector introduced.
1960

1961

1st Filtration
AAF introduces DriPak®, the first bag‐style filter.
Lady stitching AAF DriPak®, the first bag‐style filter

1963

1st Filtration
AAF introduces VariCel®, the first modern high‐efficiency box‐style filter.

1964

AAF introduces the AstroCel® HEPA filter.

1964

1st Filtration
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.
Group of men in suits analyzing AAF’s first gas turbine

1966-1968

AAF opens plants and begins manufacturing filters in Europe, Asian headquarters established later in 1970.

1968

1st Filtration
Flanders creates first separator-less HEPA filter.

1969

NASA equips the Apollo 11 Lunar Module with AAF-supplied filters to prevent contamination of the moon with particles brought from earth. In present day, AAF provides HEPA filters for the International Space Station.
NASA Astronaut on the Moon

1969

1st Filtration
Flanders develops the first fluid seal for HEPA filters, later developing the first silicone-based seal in 1986.
1970

1970

AmerKleen line of diesel engine intake filters and housings developed.

1978

AAF introduces first V‐Bank HEPA filter.

1978

1st Filtration
Flanders makes the first ULPA filter.

1979

Daikin develops Japan’s first Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) system.
1980

1982

Daikin develops Japan’s first Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) system.

1986

1st Filtration
Flanders creates BLU-JEL, the first silicone-based HEPA fluid seal.

1988

1st Filtration
AAF pioneers HEPA technology in gas turbines.

1989

1st Filtration
AAF introduces VariCel® II, the first high‐efficiency mini‐pleat 4-inch-deep filter.
AAF VariCel® II, the first high‐efficiency mini‐pleat 4-inch-deep filter
1990

1991

1st Filtration
Daikin establishes Daikin America, Inc. in Orangeburg, NY.
Daikin America, Inc. office in Orangeburg, NY

1993

1st Filtration
Flanders supplies HEPA filters to the International Space Station.

1996

Flanders Filters expands into the retail market.

1997

First modular expandable baghouse.

1999

AAF begins development of PTFE filters with Daikin Industries.
2000

2000

1st Filtration
AAF introduces PerfectPleat®, the first self‐supported pleated filter.

2002

AAF expands production in China.

2005

Expanded Gas-Phase product line.

2006

1st Filtration
AAF becomes member of Daikin Group.

2009

1st Filtration
AAF introduces MEGAcel® I, first HEPA filter with ePTFE filtration technology.
2010

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 the US.

2016-2020

1st Filtration
AAF introduces software and technology packages such as TCO Diagnostic® , Sensor360®, and VisionAir™ Clean.

2016

AAF opens Clean Air Innovation & Research Center in Jeffersonville, IN.
AAF employees at ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of Daikin America, Inc. in Orangeburg, NY

2016

AAF introduces REDClean Media®, the advanced filtration technology product range that optimizes dust collector’s performance.

2017

1st Filtration
AAF introduces N-hance® the world’s first E12 high velocity filter for gas turbines offshore.

2019

AAF expands its dust collection portfolio by launching new Plug&Play filtration units to meet the needs of different key industrial markets.
2020

2020

AAF develops study at CAC that demonstrates AAF filters are effective against coronavirus surrogate virus.
Scientist demonstrating AAF filters effectiveness again coronavirus surrogate virus
Street view of American Air Filter Factory in 1921

PATENT US1483379A

The year was 1921 and Bill Reed was tired of getting dust on his newly painted model Ts. It was his business, after all. 

You see, back then roads were so rough that automaker Henry Ford would ship new cars unpainted to avoid rock damage. The cars would get painted at the delivery city by people like Mr. Reed.  And, being the entrepreneur-engineer, Mr. Reed recognized that if he filtered the factory air, he could paint cars cleanly and without needing additional touchup.

The first filter enlisted a mesh filter coated in oil he put over his shop windows. Soon enough Mr. Reed began selling his filter, which soon became Patent US1483379A, to every paint shop in the country. The Reed Air Filter company was born.

Learn More About AAF

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