Over 150 Years of 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.

1867

Vilter Manufacturing started as a general jobbing shop that Peter Weisel opened in 1867 in Milwaukee, WI.

1880

Ernest Vilter became a partner in the business and soon after introduced the Corliss Engine.

1882

Introduced the first refrigeration compressor.

1892

After a devastating fire, Vilter rebuilt a larger site and quickly rose as an industry leader, providing cooling equipment to ice plants, breweries, and packing houses.

1914-1945

Played a crucial role in supporting the US in World War I and World War II.

1945

The 440 reciprocating compressor is developed – and remains an industry standard today.

The Future

We continue to develop robust, efficient solutions that are mindful of total cost of ownership, environmental awareness, and improving overall safety. Vilter is always innovating and adapting to address the voice of our customers.