In 1929, Clessie Cummins installed a Cummins diesel engine in a Packard limousine and went for a ride in America's first diesel-powered car. He would later use this car, and others like it, to set a number of speed and endurance records—including a 13,535-mile run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
History
Yes, we've been doing this a while.
Our history highlights - progressing toward 100 years.
Since 1919, we've given our customers the dependable products they need, and we've given our employees the tools to succeed. Right now, Cummins is a Fortune 500 company that operates in more than 190 countries. However, our headquarters is still located in Columbus, Indiana, the same town where we were founded.
This is where Clessie Cummins, a self-taught mechanic and inventor, worked for W.G. Irwin. They both saw the potential in diesel engine technology, and that's why Mr. Irwin helped Clessie found the Cummins Engine Company. In addition, both founders had the perseverance to see the company continue through 19 years with no profitability, and the desire to support the communities they worked in.
It was this model of perseverance and loyalty they created that helped shape our organization through every step of our growth, from engine company to global, cutting-edge technology leader. Here are some highlights from our story.
1919
Cummins first diesel product was the HVID used by farmers for powering pumps and farm equipment. Our corporate headquarters is still located at the original factory site in Columbus, Indiana.
1926
We powered our first shovel—the 104 Power Shovel. This was one of the first available with diesel power, as opposed to steam.
1929
Clessie Cummins installed a Cummins diesel engine in a Packard limousine and went for a ride in America's first diesel-powered car. Later, he used this car, and others like it, to set a number of speed and endurance records—including a 13,535-mile run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
1937
We powered the first diesel fire truck.
1940s
The Red Ball Express was a Cummins-powered convoy system of over 5,000 trucks created by Allied forces during WWII. The name is based on the Cummins logo which, at the time, had a large, red circle.
1950s
America built the interstate highways and Cummins engines powered the equipment that built the roads and the thousands of trucks that began to roll down them. Truckers demanded economy, power, reliability and durability, and Cummins responded. By the late 1950s, Cummins had sales of over $100 million.
1952
Cummins Diesel Special No. 28 took the pole position at the 1952 Indy 500 with a record speed of 139mph. The streamlined racer had a 430 hp, low profile, JBS-600 diesel engine, and was the first at Indy with turbocharging.
1954
Our strong belief in diversity paved the way for the promotion of an African-American man to the position of manager in our Columbus, Indiana, engine plant.
1960s
Our sales and service network grew to 2,500 dealers in 98 countries. Today, the business consists of 17 company-owned distributors and 10 joint ventures, covering 90 countries and territories through 233 locations.
1963
J. Irwin Miller was a champion of diversity both inside and outside of Cummins. He was a major supporter of the civil rights movement, participated in the original March on Washington and refused to manufacture engines in South Africa because of apartheid.
1964
Cummins opened its first facility in India, in collaboration with local engine company Kirloskar Oil Engines, Ltd. The Kirloskar-Cummins plant was, and still is, located in Pune.
1966
Powered by a Cummins engine, the boat “Merry-Go-Round” broke the world speed record for diesel power.
1972
J. Irwin Miller: "We can, in the long run, be a healthy company only in so far as we exist and serve within an economically and socially healthy society. We, therefore, support the involvement of Company personnel in both public and private social programs, as well as supplement those programs with funds set aside for general philanthropy." Excerpt from the 1972 Annual Report.
1973
Powered by an 800 hp Cummins diesel, the Pacific Ultra P12 6x6 was one of the world’s strongest tow tractors. A fleet could couple 4 Ultras plus 1 more as rear pusher to tow up to 860 tons.
1975
The DEMAG HC 500 set a new standard for all-terrain telescopic cranes with a 160-ton lift. Powered by a Cummins KTA 550 hp, the German-built 8-axle crane was road legal and fully self-contained.
1981
Our engineers developed a 600-hp engine for the M1/M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle—resulting in the highest reliability rating for any U.S. armored vehicle. Nearly 5,000 were built.
1981
Cummins signed a 10-year license agreement with China's National Technical Import Corporation on January 25. Two years later, the China National Automotive Industry Corporation began engine assembly from kits provided by Cummins plants all over the world.
1987
A few weeks before the Indy 500, Cummins and Penske Racing decided to enter the #25 Cummins Holset car, which had been retired and on display in a hotel lobby. They hired three-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Sr. to drive the car. He qualified well and won the race by more than 4 seconds.
1989
Cummins’ 160 hp 5.9-liter Turbo Diesel was added to the Dodge Ram 250 & 350, and the pickup truck market was transformed. The power and torque enabled owners to haul trailers two tons heavier than previous engines. Almost 20,000 diesel engines were ordered in the first year.
1998
The Cable & Wireless Adventurer, powered by twin Cummins engines, set a new record for circumnavigating the globe.
1999
Beijing Public Transit launched a fleet of 300 buses with Cummins natural-gas engines. This was the first clean alternative-fuel fleet in Asia.
2005
Cummins engines powered the first production-ready diesel-electric hybrid heavy truck—the Oshkosh HEMMIT A3.
2006
Hybrid buses—featuring Cummins power—began to hit the streets across North America. They reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gasses by 30 percent.
2007
Cummins was the only company in the industry to meet the 2010 EPA standards for NOx emissions with the release in early 2007 of its new 6.7-liter turbo diesel for the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup.
2008
Our specialists developed the engines for a Tornado Intercept Vehicle, the "TIV-2," featured on the Discovery Channel's "Storm Chasers."
2008
Again, Cummins powered the ship that set a new world record for circumnavigating the globe. The ship, "Earthrace," leaves a zero net carbon footprint.
2010
Cummins used the simple Selective Catalyst Reduction technology to reduce emissions and meet the 2010 EPA requirements—all while increasing fuel economy 5 to 6 percent for our ISX15 engine.
2010
In Honolulu, Hawaii, two Cummins-powered commuter buses entered the Cummins Million Mile Club for each traveling more than one million miles with one engine. These are the first buses to enter the club.
Did You Know
First to the Finish