Carl Munters, 1897-1989 Innovator and Entrepreneur
1920’s
In 1923 Carl Munters and Baltzar von Platen invents the first cooling device with no moving parts, with the rights to the invention going to Electrolux. They use their global marketing organization for vacuum cleaners to also sell refrigerators. During his lifetime, Carl Munters was granted more than 1,000 patents.
1950’s
Refrigeration using heat results in the DesiCoolTM project: rotors for dehumidification and heat exchangers and structures for humidification/cooling. The first large-scale dehumidifier took a huge leap from the previsous size. The picture is showing the new device being tested in Carl Munters own garden before delivery.
1955 - Carl Munters & Co is formed.
1958 - Breakthrough for dehumidifiers. The Swedish Armed forces want to decentralize their mobilization warehouses and order 200 dehumidifiers. Warehouse construction continues through the years and defense organizations worldwide begin using dehumidifiers on a large scale.
1960’s
Munters starts doing business in Fort Myers in the USA with products for evaporative cooling and closes license agreements for production of dehumidifiers in Amesbury, USA.
1964 - The M100 is launched - the best-selling dehumidifier of all time. 1968 - MCS is developed into a separate business.
1970’s
The international agent network is established. The focus is on energy saving applications
1973 - The oil crisis brings sudden and severe demands for energy savings. The company is facing completely new market potential.
1974 - Incentive AB takes over Munters.
1976 - A breakthrough order is shipped to Agfa for dehumidifiers for film production. The technology becomes critical to the manufacture of photographic film.
1980’s
Broad international expansion. The modern Munters takes shape via acquisition of agents. The MCS business is expanded in several of the countries where Munters operates.
1987 - Munters begins doing business in Japan.
1988 - Munters acquires a unique Swedish air purification technology. The ZEOL products are further developed with Munters’ rotor technology and helps improving the environment by reducing emissions of solvents from industrial processes.
1989 - A new plant opens in Tobo, Sweden, which enables cost-effective production of new rotors with unique characteristics for various applications.
1990’s
Focus on profitable growth. Environmental issues becomes more important, laying the foundation for HumiCool products. Munters focuses on products rather than core components.
1992 - A new plant is built in San Antonio to concentrate dehumidification applications, e.g., for supermarkets and ice rinks.
1997 - Munters is listed on the Stockholm Exchange.
1999 - Munters finalizes its largest acquisition ever, of the Italian company Euroemme. Munters begins offering complete cooling systems for the rapidly expanding poultry industry.
2000’s
2000 - Munters establishes sales operations in Thailand and Korea and opens a CELdek® plant in Thailand.
2005 - Formation of Global Divisions New organizational structure - Up until 2005, Munters was organized into three regions – Americas, Europe and Asia. Those regions were in turn divided into three product areas. Since mid-2005, the Group has been managed via three global product divisions – Dehumidification, MCS and HumiCool. That change was successful and has resulted in higher gross margins and enabled a more coordinated sales process to be achieved, aimed at international customers. In addition, the new organizational structure has contributed to a more concentrated product portfolio and stronger service offerings.
2006 - Acquisition of spot heater manufacturer SIAL broadens the offering to the HVAC and AgHort customer segments within the HumiCool division. It is follows the strategy of becoming a full climate system provider to agricultural customers.
2007 - Munters is more and more becoming an expert in Indoor Air Treatment, rather than the Humidity Expert. The acquisition of US-based Des Champs Technologies complements the Dehumidification product range and strengthens Munters position strengthens its position as a leading supplier of energy-efficient climate control solutions for commercial buildings.
2010 - Munters focuses on the core business and decides to divest division MCS. Triton, a leading private equity firm, bought the division. The transaction was completed October 1, 2010. Nordic Capital Fund VII purchased Munters at the end of the year. Dec 23, 2010, Munters was de-listed from the Stock Exchange.