Legacy of Industrial Compression Innovation
The 150-year history of the Vilter brand tells a rich story of perseverance and drive to cultivate continuous innovation within the industrial refrigeration and gas compression industries.
The Legacy of Vilter
For more than 150 years, Vilter has helped shape the industrial compression industry through a relentless commitment to engineering innovation, performance and reliability. From introducing one of the industry's first refrigeration compressors in the late 1800s to advancing modern solutions for industrial refrigeration, process cooling and gas compression applications, Vilter has remained focused on solving complex challenges for customers around the world.
Today, as part of Copeland, the Vilter brand continues to build on its heritage by delivering robust compressor technologies, engineered systems and application expertise that help customers improve efficiency, reliability and operational performance. Explore the milestones that have defined the Vilter journey and established its reputation as a trusted leader in industrial compression technology.
1867
Vilter Manufacturing started as a general purpose job shop that Peter Weisel opened in 1867 in Milwaukee.
1880
Ernest Vilter became a partner in the business and soon after introduced the Corliss Engine.
1882
Vilter introduced the first refrigeration compressor in 1882. Vilter continued to expand manufacturing operations in Milwaukee.
1892
After a devastating fire, Vilter rebuilt a larger site and quickly rose as an industrial refrigeration leader, providing cooling equipment to ice plants, breweries and packing houses.
1914-1945
The company played a crucial role in supporting the U.S. in World War I and World War II. Reliable Vilter compressors were used extensively to make ice.
1945
The Vilter 440 reciprocating compressor was developed in 1945. It remains an industry standard today.
1967
Vilter celebrated 100 years of innovation and became one of Milwaukee's oldest continuously operating manufacturing companies.
1983
Vilter began developing its single-screw compressor platform, marking the start of a new generation of industrial refrigeration technology.
2009
Emerson acquired Vilter, expanding the company's global reach and accelerating investment in industrial refrigeration and gas compression technologies.
2023
Following Blackstone's acquisition of Emerson Climate Technologies, Copeland launched as an independent company, opening a new chapter of investment and innovation for the Vilter brand.
2023-2025
Copeland completed a $14 million renovation of its Vilter facility in Cudahy, Wisconsin, expanding training, engineering and collaboration capabilities to support the future of industrial refrigeration, heat pumps and sustainable compression technologies.
2025
Copeland announced the acquisition of SPH Sustainable Process Heat, adding advanced high-temperature heat pump and steam generation technologies to the Vilter portfolio.
