About US
Discover how we are at the forefront of the mechanical engineering manufacturing revolution through strategic partnerships with leading organizations and exciting career opportunities.
Better
Listening.
Better
Understanding.
Better
Solutions.
Horton is recognized, worldwide, for one distinct quality that leads to many other customer benefits: collaborative solution development. It is why brand leaders in the on- and off-highway markets have come to Horton for over 65 years to solve the most challenging engine cooling needs. Horton listens. The result is a keen understanding of your cooling needs and development of optimized solutions.
Horton’s global recognition stems from its unwavering commitment to collaborative solution development, a cornerstone of its customer-centric approach. This collaborative ethos transcends mere problem-solving; it fosters a deep engagement with clients, particularly in the on- and off-highway markets, spanning over six decades.
Central to Horton’s success is our ability to listen intently to customer requirements, thereby cultivating a profound understanding of their unique cooling needs. By actively involving customers in the development process, we ensure that solutions are precisely tailored to address their most complex challenges. This collaborative approach not only results in optimized engine cooling solutions but also cultivates enduring partnerships built on trust and mutual respect. In essence, our reputation for excellence is rooted in our steadfast dedication to listening, understanding, and delivering innovative solutions that exceed customer expectations.
Performance & Durability
We use the latest software, simulation design tools and manufacturing methods, supplemented by extensive in-house testing resources to provide the best products. In a world where uptime is critical, we keep you moving.
Customization
The specialized needs of our customers, both large and small sized companies, have often been the catalyst for our engine cooling innovations and leadership. We can customize the entire solution for you, with the right fan, drive, bracket, hub and more.
Support
We have an agile team of sales and service representatives and one of the best-trained, distributor and dealer networks, worldwide. We take your business seriously — like we do our own — and we know support is critical.
Horton Worldwide
We are a global company. Following expansions in Australia, Europe and Mexico, it expanded to Asia. It has sales offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Germany and representatives in Korea, China, Japan, India, Australia, Columbia and Chile. We’re willing to go where you need us, to help you develop engine cooling solutions that are right for you and your application.
15
Facilities Worldwide
70
Countries
900
Distributor Locations
History of Horton
Founded in 1951, the company originally focused on manufacturing industrial clutches. In the 1960s, Horton applied its clutch expertise to the cooling of on-highway and off-highway vehicles. Later, Horton convinced truck manufacturers that they could save fuel during the U.S. energy crisis of the 1970s by installing engine cooling fan drives on their vehicles. By the 1980s, Horton fan drives were standard equipment for major truck OEMs. Horton continues to be a pioneer in the on- and off-highway industries by providing the latest technology, the highest quality and the most dependable products available.
HUGH PRUCHASES HORTON FOR $50,000
On September 17, 1951, with backing from three investors, Hugh Schilling purchases Horton for $50,000.
HORTON BEGINS TO GROW
Horton began purchasing it’s own machine tools and doing jobbing work for others, as well as filling its own clutch orders.
HORTON SEES SUCCESS
A corrugated cardboard assembler reached out with a request for a machine to punch out die-cuts in cardboard, saving hours of difficult manual labor. Hugh and chief engineer Jim Hanks drew up designs for a large air presser they named the Power Stripper. It was an instant success.
AIR CHAMP: FORECAST OF HORTON’S FUTURE
Horton answered market demand with small variable speed clutch, Air Champ.
HORTON EXPANDS IN AUSTRALIA
Licensing agreement signed with Norman G. Clark Pty/Asia to manufacture and sell industrial clutches and vehicle fan drives across the continent.
FIRST FAN DRIVES INSTALLED
Horton installs fan drives on fleet trucks to reduce fuel consumption, maximize available horsepower and optimize the engine cooling function.
THE MOVE TO OFF-HIGHWAY APPLICATIONS
Horton expands the use of fan drive technology to include off-highway applications like mining trucks.
HORTON BECOMES STANDARD ON BIG OEMS
Horton fan drives become “standard” equipment with its first big OEM, Peterbilt Motors Company. Soon after, Horton products also become standard on Kenworth, Freightliner and Navistar. Volvo follows in 1996.
HORTON ENTERS EUROPE
Its business presence in Europe starts in Germany with a joint venture agreement with Esco Engineering, Horton’s distributor in Troisdorf, Germany.
HORTON PRODUCES 1,000,000TH FAN DRIVE
Success over the years from innovation, quality products and customer focus fuels continued expansion and growth in various on- and off-highway applications. Then later in 2015, our 10,000,000th fan drive is produced.
ANOTHER OEM CHOOSES HORTON
Horton fan drives become standard on Volvo’s line of heavy-duty trucks.
A NEW HEADQUARTERS
Horton moves into a newly-built corporate headquarters in Roseville, Minnesota. The facility includes a state-of-the-art technical center for testing products and vehicle applications.
MORE EUROPEAN EXPANSION
Horton purchases viscous drive division from ZF Sachs and builds state-of-the-art manufacturing and technical center in Schweinfurt Germany.
GROWING THE SOLUTION BUSINESS
Horton purchases ECS Systems, Inc. in Carmel, Indiana. The ability to pair complex fan materials and designs with drives allows Horton to offer integrated engine cooling solutions.
EXPANSION INTO ASIA
Horton signs a distributor/license agreement with R&S Promotion Co., Ltd. in China.
INNOVATIVE NEW PRODUCTS
Horton scales up technology to address large mining equipment engine cooling needs, receiving widespread attention. Horton continues to innovate with the launches of the RCV2000 Fan Drive and HTEC Fan introductions.
Environmentally Responsible
Horton has long been an advocate of the environment. In fact, it is proud that the products it manufactures help reduce fuel consumption and noise. Horton is continually improving its products, manufacturing and facilities to remove waste, prevent pollution and protect natural resources.
ISO & IATF Certifications
| ISO 9001 | IATF 16949 | ISO 14001 |
|---|---|---|
| Roseville, MN | Britton, SD | All Sites |
| Britton, SD | Schweinfurt, Germany | |
| Oconee, SC | Oconee, SC | |
| Schweinfurt, Germany | ||
| Wuxi, China |
Our Leadership
Cordell Dietz
President and CEO
Mr. Dietz was named President and CEO of Horton in 2015. Prior to Horton, he spent 24 years at Valspar in various executive and business leadership roles for North America, Asia and Europe. He graduated from the University of North Dakota with Master and Bachelor degree’s while concurrently serving in the U.S. Army Reserve as an Infantry Medic.
Educational Background:
- BA Business – University of North Dakota
- MBA – University of North Dakota
Terry Gilberstadt
Vice Chairman & Corporate Secretary
Terry has been with Horton since 1993. She served in several management and administrative jobs during that time. She currently serves as Corporate Secretary and Manager of Horton Transportation for Horton, Holding, Inc. She also serves as a Member of the Horton Board of Directors and member of the HR Committee. Terry is also currently a member of the Roseville Rotary where she has served on the executive board and held several positions over the last 14 years. She also serves on the Jr. Achievement of the Upper Midwest Board of Directors and the Minnesota State Fair Foundation Board. She is a past member of the Foundation Board of Lake Area Technical Institute, Watertown, SD, and also a past member of the Board of Management for YMCA.
Educational Background:
- BA History & Elementary Education – Hamline University
Sarah Aesoph
SVP, CFO & CIO
Sarah Aesoph joined Horton as CFO in March of 2018. Most recently Sarah served as Vice President of Finance with United Subcontractors, Inc. She started her career with KPMG and has held positions in financial and accounting roles at both GN Resound and Genmar Holdings.
Educational Background:
- BS Business Administration/Accounting – University of South Dakota
Jackson Alley
VP, Global Truck Sales
Jackson joined Horton in 2019 as the Sales Director of North American Aftermarket. In 2021, he moved to Europe as the Sales Director for EU Truck to lead Horton’s growth in the region. Prior to Horton, he held various roles at Valspar & Sherwin Williams in Corporate Procurement and Industrial Sales.
Educational Background:
- B.A. Accounting and Finance – Augsburg University
Dave Benson
VP, Engineering
Dave has worked with Horton since 2004. Before becoming the VP of Engineering, Dave was an Application Engineer, Sr. Design Engineer, Product Development Engineering Manager, and Engineering Director – Product Development.
Educational Background:
- BS Mechanical Engineering – University of Minnesota
Suzanne Dvorak
VP, Human Resources
Suzanne Dvorak joined Horton, Inc. as Vice President Human Resources in April 2024. Prior to joining Horton, Suzanne served as Human Resource Director, Global Operations with Life Fitness, a manufacturer of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, where she was charged with planning, developing, and managing the human resource strategies and operations. She has held human resource positions at Vision Ease and Cummins NPower, LLC.
Educational Background:
- Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) – Human Resource Industrial Relations, University of Minnesota
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.
Dave Hennessy
VP, Engineering and Research and Development
Dave has been with Horton since 1990. He has held the positions of Design Engineer, Lead Design Engineer, Sr. Project Engineer, Design Engineering Supervisor, Design Engineering Manager and Vice President, Advanced Development. Prior to Horton, Dave was with DANA Corporation as a Design Engineer from 1986 – 1990.
Educational Background:
- BS Mechanical Engineering – University of Minnesota
- MBA – University of St. Thomas
Dirk Kreunen
SVP, Global Off-Highway Sales
Dirk joined Horton in 2017 as Vice President of Sales of North America Off-Highway. Between 2012 and 2017, Dirk served as Sales and Marketing Leader for Rexnord’s Industrial Chain and Conveying and Industrial Service units. Between 1992 and 2012, he held various sales positions with Fenner Drives, Ritus/VanSeal, Adaptive Micro Systems, SKF and Federal Mogul. Prior to 1992, Dirk served several years in the U.S. Army.
Educational Background:
- BS Engineering – United States Military Academy at West Point
Tony Niese
VP, Operations & Supply Chain
Tony joined Horton as VP, Operations in September of 2016. Prior to Horton, Tony served in multiple operations management positions for Eaton since 2003, including Plant Manager assignments in Iowa, Kansas, and China. He also served as an engineer in Cummins’ fuel and after treatment systems and controls areas, from 1997 to 2001
Educational Background:
- BS Electrical Engineering – Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- MBA – Purdue University
Erik Roell
VP, Global Market Development
Erik has been with Horton since 2000. He has held the positions of Design Engineer, Project Engineer, OEM Account Manager, Product Engineering Manager, and Vice President, Engineering. Prior to Horton, Erik was with Stewart and Stevenson Services, Inc. as a Design Engineer from 1998 – 2000.
Educational Background:
- BS Mechanical Engineering – University of Minnesota
- MBA – University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
Thomas Witha
VP, Managing Director Horton Europe
Thomas has been with Horton since 2002. He held the positions of Controller, Director of Finance & IT and General Manager Europe. Prior to Horton Thomas held various positions including sales, finance and general management.
Educational Background:
- Diploma in Industrial Engineering and Management – University of Applied Sciences, Schweinfurt, Germany