Who Owns Cummins Onan?
Cummins Onan is the generator brand of Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI), the power technology company headquartered in Columbus, Indiana. Originally D.W. Onan & Sons, founded in 1921 and acquired by Cummins in 1986, the brand makes mobile generators for RVs, marine applications, and commercial vehicles, plus related power products.
Parent Company
Acquired
1986
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Cummins Onan Timeline
Who Owns Cummins Onan?
- Parent Company: Cummins Inc.
- Ownership Type: Acquired
- Acquisition Year: 1986
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: CMI
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cummins Onan | Cummins Inc. | Acquired |
Where to Buy
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Cummins Onan on AmazonHistory of Cummins Onan
- Founded: 1921
- Founders: D.W. Onan (predecessor company)
- Acquired by Cummins Inc.: 1986
D.W. Onan founded the Onan company in Minneapolis in 1921, initially making ten small engines per week. The company grew through the mid-twentieth century into a specialist in compact generators, finding its niche in the recreational vehicle market as RVs proliferated after World War II.
Onan became the dominant supplier of built-in generators for motorhomes and campers, establishing a brand identity around quiet, compact, reliable mobile power. Marine generators and commercial mobile power products expanded the range.
Cummins acquired Onan in 1986 and integrated it into what became Cummins Power Generation. The Cummins Onan name preserved the generator heritage while adding the parent's engineering resources and global service network. For decades the brand remained the RV industry standard, with "Onan" becoming nearly generic for built-in RV generators.
In the modern portfolio, Cummins Onan continues to serve the RV, marine, and commercial mobile segments while the parent's larger data center and stationary power generation sits under the Cummins name. The brand's heritage identity remains strongest in the North American RV market where it held dominant share for generations.
About Cummins Inc.
What does Cummins own?
Cummins owns brands including Cummins engines and components, Accelera zero-emissions technology, Cummins Onan generators, Holset turbochargers, and the Eaton Cummins transmission joint venture. It separated its Fleetguard filtration business into Atmus Filtration Technologies in 2024.
Is Cummins publicly traded?
Yes. Cummins trades on the NYSE under ticker CMI and is a component of the S&P 500. Its shares are broadly held by institutional investors.
Who founded Cummins?
Clessie Cummins founded Cummins Engine Company in 1919 in Columbus, Indiana, with backing from banker William G. Irwin. It was renamed Cummins Inc. in 2001.
Where is Cummins headquartered?
Cummins is headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, USA, where it was founded and where it maintains its principal engineering and corporate operations.
Who owns Cummins?
Cummins is owned by its public shareholders with no controlling investor. Institutional holders including Vanguard and BlackRock are among the largest.
What is Cummins' revenue?
Cummins reported FY2025 revenues of $33.7 billion, down 1% year over year, with net income of $2.8 billion and diluted EPS of $20.50.
How many brands does Cummins own?
Cummins operates primarily under the Cummins master brand plus specialized brands including Accelera, Cummins Onan, Holset, and Endurant. The Fleetguard brand moved to Atmus Filtration Technologies in the 2024 separation.
- Founded: 1919
- Headquarters: Columbus, Indiana, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: CMI
- Revenue: $33.7 billion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 69,000
Where Is Cummins Onan Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Columbus, Indiana, USA (parent)
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Cummins Onan Categories & Tags
Cummins Onan Recalls & Controversies
As a generator brand, Cummins Onan's issues are primarily product safety and warranty-related rather than corporate controversy.
Product recalls: Like all generator manufacturers, the brand has issued periodic recalls for defects including fuel system issues, exhaust problems, and safety hazards, handled through standard CPSC and dealer channels.
RV industry cyclicality: The brand's fortunes are tied to RV production volumes, which swung sharply during the pandemic boom and subsequent correction, though these are market dynamics rather than controversies.
Emissions standards: Small engine and generator products are subject to EPA and CARB emissions regulations that have tightened over time, requiring ongoing compliance engineering.
Brands Owned by Cummins Inc.
AutomotiveAccelera
Owned by Cummins Inc.
Zero-emissions technology brand of Cummins Inc., covering battery-electric powertrains, fuel cells, and electrolyzers under the Destination Zero strategy.
zero-emissionselectric-powertrainfuel-cell
AutomotiveCummins
Owned by Cummins Inc.
Master brand of Cummins Inc., covering diesel and natural gas engines, power generation systems, and components for trucks, construction, agriculture, and data center backup power.
diesel-enginespower-generationtruck-engines
Cummins Onan Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Dominant brand recognition in the North American RV generator market
- +Factory-installed OEM relationships create large installed base for service revenue
- +Backed by Cummins engineering and 190-country service network
- +Premium positioning supports pricing above commodity generator brands
- +Durable consumer brand equity that transcends the industrial Cummins identity
Considerations
- -Tied to cyclical RV production volumes sensitive to interest rates
- -Long-term substitution risk from lithium battery and solar RV power systems
- -Small contributor to parent's $33.7 billion revenue base
- -Niche market limits growth potential compared to industrial segments
- -Generator emissions regulations add compliance cost
Frequently Asked Questions About Cummins Onan
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Cummins Onan
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Cummins Onanoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Independent Alternatives to Cummins Onan
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Cummins Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
AutomotiveGenesis
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean luxury vehicle brand specializing in premium automobiles, owned by Hyundai Motor Group.
luxuryautomotivepremium-vehicles
Privately Owned
Genesis is privately owned, unlike Cummins Onan which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveJaguar
Owned by Tata Group
British luxury automotive brand founded in 1922, owned by Tata Motors of India since 2008 through Jaguar Land Rover Limited, currently undergoing a complete rebrand and transition to an all-electric lineup.
luxuryperformancebritish-brand
Privately Owned
Jaguar is privately owned, unlike Cummins Onan which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveLand Rover
Owned by Tata Group
British premium SUV and off-road vehicle brand founded in 1948, owned by Tata Motors of India since 2008 through its Jaguar Land Rover subsidiary.
suvluxuryoff-road
Privately Owned
Land Rover is privately owned, unlike Cummins Onan which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveRush Enterprises
Owned by Rush Enterprises
Largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, operating Peterbilt and International truck centers.
truck-dealershipcommercial-vehiclespeterbilt
Publicly Traded
Rush Enterprises operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveDefender
Owned by Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC
British off-road vehicle brand produced by Jaguar Land Rover, a subsidiary of Tata Motors. Originally launched in 1948 as the Land Rover, reintroduced as the modern Defender in 2020.
utility-vehiclesoff-roadsuv
Privately Owned
Defender is privately owned, unlike Cummins Onan which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveHyundai
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean automobile manufacturer known for its value proposition, quality improvements, and stylish designs in the global automotive market.
korean-carvalue-brandglobal-automaker
Privately Owned
Hyundai is privately owned, unlike Cummins Onan which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Cummins Inc. Stock Information
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