
The Superior Electric Company, founded in 1938 in Bristol, Connecticut, has had several owners throughout its history. The company, which manufactures and sells motors, motion-control devices, and voltage controls, was purchased by Dana Corp. in 1989 and later sold to Colfax Corp. in 2017. In a quick turnaround, Colfax then sold off several divisions of Warner, including Superior Electric, to Danaher Corp., where it currently resides as part of the Danaher Sensors & Controls Group.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1938 |
| Founders | Alfred B. Nelson and Thor L. Hannon |
| Location | Bristol, CT |
| Year purchased by Dana Corp | 1989 |
| Year sold to Colfax Corp | 2016 |
| Current owner | Danaher Corp |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Products | Motors, motion-control devices, voltage controls, adjustable speed drives |
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What You'll Learn
- Superior Electric Company was founded in 1938 by Alfred B. Nelson and Thor L. Hannon
- The company manufactures and markets voltage control and conditioning equipment
- In 1989, Dana Corp. purchased Superior Electric
- Dana Corp. sold Superior Electric to Colfax Corp. in spring 2016
- Colfax Corp. sold Superior Electric to Danaher Corp. in July 2016

Superior Electric Company was founded in 1938 by Alfred B. Nelson and Thor L. Hannon
The Superior Electric Company was founded in 1938 by Alfred B. Nelson and Thor L. Hannon in Bristol, Connecticut. The company manufactures and markets voltage control and conditioning equipment, as well as motors, motion-control devices, adjustable speed drives, and other similar products.
Over the years, the ownership of the Superior Electric Company has changed hands several times. In 1989, the company was purchased by Dana Corp., which integrated it into its Warner Electric division. Subsequently, Dana Corp. sold the Warner Electric division, including Superior Electric, to the Virginia-based Colfax Corp. in the spring of 2016. However, this ownership was short-lived as Colfax Corp. decided to sell off several divisions of Warner, including Superior Electric, in July of the following year. The buyer was Danaher Corp., a publicly traded company based in Washington, D.C. As of 2015, Superior Electric remains a part of the Danaher Corporation and operates under the Danaher Sensors & Controls Group.
The sale of Superior Electric to Danaher Corp. marked the end of its operations in Bristol, resulting in the layoffs of approximately 400 workers. John Leone, the director of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, expressed his concern over the loss of a major employer in the city. The closure of the Bristol plant saw the transfer of work to other North American facilities within the new parent company's network.
Despite the changes in ownership and the relocation of operations, the Superior Electric Company has continued its legacy of manufacturing and marketing voltage control and conditioning equipment, a business founded over seven decades earlier by Nelson and Hannon.
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The company manufactures and markets voltage control and conditioning equipment
The Superior Electric Company, founded in 1938 in Bristol, CT, has had several changes in ownership over the years. The company manufactures and markets voltage control and conditioning equipment, motors, motion-control devices, adjustable speed drives, and other electrical components.
In 1989, the company was purchased by Dana Corp., which integrated it into its Warner Electric division. Subsequently, Dana Corp. sold the Warner Electric division, including Superior Electric, to the Virginia-based Colfax Corp. This transaction took place in the spring of 2016, and by July of the same year, Colfax had decided to divest itself of several divisions within Warner, including Superior Electric. As a result, Superior Electric changed hands once more and became part of the publicly traded Washington, D.C.-based company, Danaher Corp.
As a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation, Superior Electric is now a part of the Danaher Sensors & Controls Group. This group is responsible for manufacturing and marketing voltage control and conditioning equipment. Voltage control and conditioning equipment are essential for maintaining stable and consistent voltage levels in electrical systems, ensuring the proper functioning and longevity of connected devices and appliances.
The voltage control equipment manufactured by Superior Electric helps regulate voltage levels in electrical power systems. This equipment includes devices such as voltage regulators, which can increase or decrease voltage to maintain a steady output, and voltage stabilizers, which provide a constant voltage supply despite fluctuations in the input power. These devices are crucial in industries where precise and reliable voltage control is necessary, such as in data centres, telecommunications, and manufacturing processes.
Additionally, Superior Electric's conditioning equipment plays a vital role in power factor correction and harmonic mitigation. Power factor correction equipment helps improve the efficiency of electrical systems by optimizing the power factor, reducing reactive power, and minimizing energy waste. On the other hand, harmonic mitigation equipment is used to eliminate or reduce harmonic currents and voltages, which can cause distortion and damage to electrical equipment and systems. By offering these voltage control and conditioning solutions, Superior Electric contributes to the reliable and efficient operation of electrical systems in various industries.
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In 1989, Dana Corp. purchased Superior Electric
However, Dana Corp.'s ownership of Superior Electric would be short-lived. In the spring of 2017, Dana Corp. sold the Warner Electric division to Colfax Corp., a Virginia-based company, for an undisclosed sum. This sale included Superior Electric, which was thus also offloaded by Dana Corp. after nearly three decades of ownership.
Colfax Corp. quickly began offloading parts of the Warner Electric division. In July 2017, just a few months after acquiring Warner Electric and Superior Electric, Colfax Corp. sold them to Danaher Corp., a publicly traded Washington, D.C.-based company. As of 2015, Superior Electric was still a part of Danaher Corp.'s Sensors & Controls Group, manufacturing and marketing voltage control and conditioning equipment.
The sale of Superior Electric over the years reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the business landscape, where companies are frequently bought and sold, and ownership can change rapidly. The changes in ownership for Superior Electric also highlight the broader industry trends and strategic decisions that drive corporate acquisitions and divestments.
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Dana Corp. sold Superior Electric to Colfax Corp. in spring 2016
The sale of Superior Electric impacted the local community in Bristol, as the company was one of the older and larger employers in the city, with close to 400 workers at the time. The director of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, John Leone, expressed concern over the loss of a major employer, highlighting the potential economic and social consequences.
Following the acquisition, Colfax Corp. made the decision to sell several divisions of Warner, including Superior Electric, just a year later in July 2017. This swift change in ownership underscores the dynamic nature of corporate strategy and the evolving landscape of the industry. The buyer this time was Danaher Corp., a publicly traded company based in Washington, D.C.
As a result of these successive sales, Superior Electric underwent a transitionary period, with its operations being transferred to other North American facilities. Unfortunately, this also resulted in layoffs for many of its employees. Despite these changes, Superior Electric has endured and continues to exist today as a part of the Danaher Sensors & Controls Group. The company remains engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of voltage control and conditioning equipment, adapting to new ownership and market demands.
The evolution of Superior Electric, from its founding in 1938 to its various changes in ownership, reflects the dynamic nature of the business landscape. The company's resilience and adaptability have allowed it to persist, even as it faced challenges and changes in leadership. The impact on the local community in Bristol, highlighted by John Leone, underscores the broader significance of such corporate transactions and their potential economic repercussions.
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Colfax Corp. sold Superior Electric to Danaher Corp. in July 2016
In 1989, the company was purchased by Dana Corp., which included it in its Warner Electric division. Dana Corp. later sold Warner Electric to Colfax Corp., a Virginia-based company, in the spring of 2016. However, just a year later, Colfax Corp. decided to sell off several divisions of Warner, including Superior Electric.
Danaher Corp., a publicly traded Washington, D.C.-based company, acquired Superior Electric in the July 2016 sale. As a part of the Danaher Sensors & Controls Group, Superior Electric continues to manufacture and market voltage control and conditioning equipment.
The sale of Superior Electric had a significant impact on the local community in Bristol. As one of the older manufacturing firms in the city, its closure put hundreds of people out of work. John Leone, the director of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, expressed his concern about the loss of a major employer in the region.
Despite the changes in ownership over the years, Superior Electric has maintained its presence in the industry. As of 2015, the company was still operational as a part of the Danaher Corporation. The sale to Danaher Corp. ensured that Superior Electric's legacy continued, even as Colfax Corp. chose to divest itself of the Warner Electric division.
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Frequently asked questions
The Superior Electric Company is owned by Danaher Corporation and is part of the Danaher Sensors & Controls Group.
Danaher Corporation purchased the Superior Electric Company in 2015.
Before Danaher Corporation, the company was owned by Colfax Corp, a Virginia-based company.
Colfax Corp purchased the company from Dana Corp, to whom the ownership was sold in 1989.





































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