Who Owns Donaldson Company?

Donaldson Bundle

Get Full Bundle:

	BCG	$15	$10
	5 FORCES	$15	$10
	CANVAS	$15	$10
	4P's MIX	$15	$10
	PESTLE	$15	$10
	SWOT	$15	$10

TOTAL:

ADD TO CART

Who Owns Donaldson Company?

Understanding Donaldson Company's ownership is key to its strategy and accountability. Its journey to becoming a public entity, starting with its IPO in 1955 and NYSE listing in 1979, broadened ownership beyond the founding family.

Donaldson Company, a filtration leader, was founded in 1915. Its initial focus on tractor air intake filters laid the groundwork for its current global presence. The company reported $3.586 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024.

Who holds the reins at Donaldson Company?

Donaldson Company, Inc. traces its origins to 1915, founded by Frank Donaldson Sr. and his father, W.H.L. Donaldson. Frank Donaldson Sr., an engineering graduate, developed the initial concept for an air intake filter while employed by Bull Tractor Company, leading to the establishment of Donaldson Engineering Company to commercialize his invention.

Founding Vision

The company's inception was driven by Frank Donaldson Sr.'s innovative spirit and a clear focus on solving filtration challenges.

Early Operations

Initially named Donaldson Engineering Company, the business was established to bring Frank's air filter design to market.

Formal Incorporation

The company was formally incorporated as Donaldson Company, Inc. in 1918, marking a significant step in its formal establishment.

World War I Contract

In 1917, the company secured a crucial contract to produce air cleaners for artillery tractors used during World War I.

Key Early Customer

Deere & Company emerged as a significant early customer, playing a vital role in shaping Donaldson's growth trajectory during its formative decades.

Founders' Equity

Specific details regarding the initial equity distribution among the founders are not publicly available.

The foundational vision of the founding team was centered on developing robust and reliable filtration solutions, particularly for heavy machinery, a commitment that guided the company's early product development and market focus. This dedication to solving complex filtration challenges laid the groundwork for the company's future innovations and its approach to Growth Strategy of Donaldson.

Donaldson SWOT Analysis

• Complete SWOT Breakdown
• Fully Customizable
• Editable in Excel & Word
• Professional Formatting
• Investor-Ready Format

GET TEMPLATE ➔

The ownership journey of Donaldson Company saw a pivotal shift with its public offering in 1955, followed by its listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 1979. This transition established a widely distributed ownership base, characteristic of publicly traded entities.

As of September 13, 2024, Donaldson Company had 119,732,101 shares of common stock outstanding. The market value of shares held by non-affiliates was approximately $7,729,445,706 as of January 31, 2024. While specific large individual institutional holders are not always publicly detailed, the activity of various investment firms highlights the dynamic nature of Donaldson Company stock ownership. For instance, Pacer Advisors Inc. adjusted its holdings significantly in the first quarter of 2025, reducing its stake by 51.6%. Conversely, Argent Trust Co. and Johnson Financial Group Inc. increased their positions in the fourth quarter of 2024, by 3.3% and 48.8% respectively. Similarly, Xponance Inc. and USA Financial Formulas saw increases in their stakes by 1.5% and 21.7% in Q1 2025. This pattern of institutional activity underscores the substantial role these entities play in shaping the company's direction, often through direct engagement with management and the board of directors, as detailed in discussions on the Marketing Strategy of Donaldson.

Key Stakeholder Dynamics

Institutional investors are the dominant owners of Donaldson Company stock. Their investment decisions and engagement significantly impact corporate governance and strategic direction.

• Institutional investors hold 82.81% of Donaldson Company stock as of July 2025.
• Several investment firms have shown active trading patterns, increasing or decreasing their stakes.
• This high level of institutional ownership suggests a strong influence on the company's strategic decisions.
• Understanding these major shareholders is crucial for analyzing Donaldson Company's corporate structure.

Donaldson PESTLE Analysis

• Covers All 6 PESTLE Categories
• No Research Needed – Save Hours of Work
• Built by Experts, Trusted by Consultants
• Instant Download, Ready to Use
• 100% Editable, Fully Customizable

GET TEMPLATE ➔

Donaldson Company, Inc. is overseen by a Board of Directors consisting of twelve members. For the 2024 annual meeting, key figures like Christopher M. Hilger, James J. Owens, and Trudy A. Rautio were nominated for re-election, each for a three-year term. David R. McAtee II was also a new nominee in 2024. The board actively seeks input from stockholders who collectively hold over 50% of the outstanding shares, demonstrating a focus on corporate governance and stakeholder engagement.

The voting power for Donaldson Company stock generally follows a one-share-one-vote principle for common stock. However, significant corporate decisions, such as bylaw amendments, require a supermajority vote of at least 66 2/3% of all outstanding voting shares. Additionally, certain business combinations involving 'Interested Stockholders' necessitate an even higher affirmative vote, at least 75% of the outstanding voting shares. While the company has authorized preferred stock, there were no outstanding Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shares as of September 2023, and no other special voting rights or preferential shares are noted in public filings. The current governance structure appears stable, with no recent reports of proxy battles or significant activist investor campaigns impacting Donaldson Company ownership.

Understanding Donaldson Company's Voting Structure

Donaldson Company's voting power is primarily tied to its common stock, with a standard one-share-one-vote system. However, specific actions trigger higher voting thresholds, impacting who controls Donaldson Company.

• Common stock holders have one vote per share.
• Bylaw amendments require a 66 2/3% supermajority vote.
• Business combinations with 'Interested Stockholders' need a 75% supermajority vote.
• No special voting rights or golden shares are currently detailed.
• This structure influences Donaldson Company ownership dynamics.

Donaldson Business Model Canvas

• Complete 9-Block Business Model Canvas
• Effortlessly Communicate Your Business Strategy
• Investor-Ready BMC Format
• 100% Editable and Customizable
• Clear and Structured Layout

GET TEMPLATE ➔

Over the past three to five years, Donaldson Company has actively managed its ownership profile through strategic capital allocation and business development. The company has demonstrated a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, reflecting a dynamic approach to its corporate structure and investor relations.

Donaldson Company's ownership trends are characterized by a proactive approach to shareholder returns and strategic acquisitions, particularly within its Life Sciences segment. The company's consistent dividend increases, now marking 29 consecutive years, alongside significant share repurchase programs, underscore a commitment to enhancing shareholder value. These actions are complemented by strategic M&A activity, such as the acquisitions of Isolere Bio, Univercells Technologies, and a substantial stake in Medica S.p.A., all aimed at bolstering its market position and facilitating future growth. This approach aligns with broader industry trends of consolidation and diversification, as Donaldson Company continues to adapt its leadership and operational focus.

Shareholder Value Enhancement

Donaldson Company prioritizes returning capital to its shareholders. This is evident through consistent dividend increases and substantial share repurchase programs, demonstrating a commitment to boosting Donaldson Company stock value.

Strategic Growth Initiatives

The company actively pursues inorganic growth through acquisitions. Recent strategic purchases in Life Sciences and medical device sectors indicate a focused expansion strategy to drive future performance.

Leadership and Organizational Development

Key leadership appointments in Mobile Solutions and Life Sciences reflect ongoing organizational development. These changes are designed to support the company's strategic objectives and operational efficiency.

Ownership Trends and Market Position

Donaldson Company's ownership structure is influenced by its public trading status and the active management of its share base. Understanding these trends is crucial for comprehending the company's corporate structure and its relationship with Donaldson Company investors.

Donaldson Porter's Five Forces Analysis

• Covers All 5 Competitive Forces in Detail
• Structured for Consultants, Students, and Founders
• 100% Editable in Microsoft Word & Excel
• Instant Digital Download – Use Immediately
• Compatible with Mac & PC – Fully Unlocked

GET TEMPLATE ➔