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Cummins is a Columbus, Indiana-based publicly traded corporation that designs, manufactures, and distributes diesel engines, electric vehicle components, and power generation products. The enterprise also services related equipment, supplying fuel systems, filtration, and emission control units to the heavy equipment, automotive, and commercial transportation sectors. Operating under the ticker NYSE: CMI, the firm maintains a global footprint spanning approximately 190 countries through a network of over 7,200 dealers and distributors. With a total workforce of approximately 70,000 employees, the company generates half of its sales internationally, including a major presence in China that accounts for $3 billion in revenue. Currently guided by Chair and CEO Jennifer Rumsey, the organization builds upon the historical expansion led by former executive J. Irwin Miller. Cummins was founded in 1919 by Clessie Lyle Cummins and William Glanton Irwin.
Key people at Cummins.
Cummins has 2 tracked investments across 2 companies. The latest tracked deal is $125.0M Other Equity in Platform Science in April 2024.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2024 | Platform Science | $125.0M Other Equity | — | 8VC, Activant Capital, C.R. England, Daimler Truck, Manhattan Venture Partners, DAN Bitar, NewRoad Capital Partners, PACCAR, Prologis Ventures, RyderVentures, Schneider Electric |
| Aug 11, 2022 | VoltStorage | $24.0M Series C | Cummins | — |
Key people at Cummins.
Cummins Inc. is a global power leader that designs, manufactures, distributes, and services diesel, natural gas engines, and related power generation equipment, primarily for heavy-duty applications in transportation, construction, marine, rail, mining, and energy sectors.[3][4] Founded in 1919, the company pioneered commercial diesel engine adoption in the U.S., evolving from a small Indiana startup to a multinational with operations in over 190 countries, employing tens of thousands, and generating billions in annual sales—half from international markets.[1][2][3] It serves trucking fleets, industrial operators, governments, and power providers by delivering reliable, fuel-efficient engines that power heavy-duty trucks (capturing over half the U.S. market in the 1950s), generators, and military logistics, solving challenges in durability, efficiency, and emissions reduction.[2][3][4]
Cummins traces its roots to 1911, when self-taught mechanic and innovator Clessie Lyle Cummins joined race car driver Ray Harroun's pit crew, contributing to victory in the first Indianapolis 500 with engine tweaks that showcased his mechanical genius.[4] By 1919, inspired by Rudolf Diesel's late-1800s invention, Clessie partnered with banker William G. Irwin for financial backing to found Cummins Engine Company on February 3 in Columbus, Indiana—starting in a machine shop after securing a license to build Hvid diesel engines for U.S. markets, initially sold via Sears catalogs.[1][3][5][7]
Early years were turbulent: the company faced skepticism toward diesel's "dirty" image, bled cash, and declared bankruptcy twice by 1924 amid the Great Depression, nearly collapsing before Clessie's persistence prevailed.[5][6] Pivotal moments included 1929's cross-country diesel car drive by Clessie, 1933's successful Model H for railroads, and WWII military use proving durability.[2][3][6] Post-war, J. Irwin Miller (William's great-nephew) took leadership in 1934, driving rapid growth via the U.S. road-building boom, where Cummins N Series engines dominated over half the heavy-duty truck market from 1952-1959.[1][2][3]
Cummins rode the early 20th-century shift from gasoline to diesel for superior fuel efficiency and torque, capitalizing on post-WWII infrastructure booms and globalization to dominate heavy-duty transport—key to U.S. road-building and military logistics.[2][3][5] Timing aligned with diesel's industrial rise amid marine/trucking needs, overcoming early "dirty/slow" stigma through proven endurance trials and innovations.[1][6] Market forces like rising freight demands, energy transitions, and emissions regulations favored its scalable, reliable tech, influencing ecosystems by setting reliability standards (e.g., Ram truck integration from 1989 boosted consumer awareness) and enabling global supply chains.[3][5] Today, it shapes power systems amid electrification pressures, blending diesel/natural gas expertise with emerging tech.
Cummins stands resilient as diesel's enduring powerhouse, but faces headwinds from electrification, hydrogen, and stricter emissions—trends pushing R&D into hybrid power, alternative fuels, and zero-emission tech like its Accelera EV/electrification arm. Next steps likely include deeper natural gas/electric integrations, Asia expansion (leveraging China dominance), and acquisitions for green tech, evolving from diesel pioneer to diversified energy leader. Its century-tested innovation positions it to influence sustainable heavy-duty mobility, tying back to Clessie's garage vision: relentless engineering amid disruption.
