Danaher Corporation
American multinational conglomerate specializing in diagnostics, life sciences, environmental and applied solutions, and product identification.
Company Type
public
Founded
1969
Headquarters
Washington, D.C., USA
Stock
NYSE: DHR
About Danaher Corporation
Danaher Corporation is an American multinational conglomerate founded in 1969, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Under CEO Rainer M. Blair, Danaher is a leading global life sciences and diagnostics innovator with $24.6 billion in 2025 revenue. The publicly traded company (NYSE: DHR) operates through three main segments: Diagnostics, Life Sciences, and Environmental and Applied Solutions, with iconic brands including Cepheid, Leica Microsystems, and Pall Corporation.
History of Danaher Corporation
Danaher Corporation was founded in 1969 by brothers Steven M. Rales and Mitchell P. Rales in Washington, D.C. The company initially focused on manufacturing and industrial products, operating as a diversified conglomerate. The Rales brothers established the company with a vision of building a disciplined, acquisition-driven business model that would become the foundation of Danaher's long-term success.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Danaher expanded through acquisitions and organic growth, building a portfolio of industrial and manufacturing businesses. The company became known for its operational excellence and disciplined acquisition strategy, focusing on businesses with strong market positions and potential for operational improvement through the Danaher Business System (DBS), a set of tools and processes for continuous improvement.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Danaher shifted its focus toward life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental solutions. The company made strategic acquisitions in healthcare and diagnostics, recognizing the growing importance of these sectors. Notable acquisitions during this period included Pall Corporation in 2011 for $3.8 billion, Beckman Coulter in 2011 for $6.8 billion, and Cepheid in 2016 for $4.3 billion, significantly expanding Danaher's presence in diagnostics and life sciences.
In 2018, Danaher spun off its industrial segment as Fortive Corporation, allowing Danaher to focus on life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental solutions. This strategic repositioning transformed Danaher into a specialized conglomerate focused on healthcare and life sciences, with the remaining businesses better aligned with the company's core competencies and growth strategy.
In 2025, Danaher reported strong financial performance with $24.6 billion in annual revenue and $3.6 billion in net earnings. The company launched several innovative products throughout the year, including Cytiva's expanded Xcellerex X-platform bioreactor, SCIEX's ZenoTOF 8600 high-resolution mass spectrometer, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics' expanded assay menu for the DxI 9000 immunoassay platform, and Cepheid's FDA-cleared Xpert GI Panel. The company's Biotechnology segment emerged as the standout performer, with Q4 2025 revenue increasing by 9.0% to $2.03 billion.
In 2026, Danaher continues to be a leading global life sciences and diagnostics innovator under CEO Rainer M. Blair's leadership. The company anticipates low-single digit percent growth in non-GAAP core revenue for the first quarter of 2026 and expects full-year 2026 non-GAAP core revenue to increase by 3% to 6% year-over-year. Danaher has provided guidance for full year adjusted diluted net earnings per common share in the range of $8.35 to $8.50, demonstrating confidence in continued growth and profitability. The company's disciplined execution and strategic focus on innovation have positioned it for long-term value creation in the rapidly evolving life sciences and diagnostics markets.
Brands Owned by Danaher Corporation
View all 10 brandsDanaher Corporation owns 10 brands in our database. Showing featured brands below.
Cepheid
Owned by Danaher Corporation
Molecular diagnostics company providing point-of-care testing and infectious disease diagnostics, owned by Danaher Corporation.
diagnosticsmolecular-testinginfectious-disease
Fortive Corporation
Owned by Danaher Corporation
American industrial technology company providing solutions for professional instrumentation and software, owned by Danaher Corporation.
industrialinstrumentationsoftware
Hach
Owned by Danaher Corporation
Global water quality testing and analytical instruments provider offering comprehensive solutions for water analysis and quality monitoring, owned by Veralto Corporation (NYSE: VLTO) since its spinoff from Danaher in September 2023.
water-qualitytesting-instrumentsenvironmental-monitoring
Integrated DNA Technologies
Owned by Danaher Corporation
Global genomics solutions provider offering oligonucleotides, genomic tools, and consumables for molecular biology, diagnostics, and genome editing applications.
genomicsoligonucleotidesmolecular-biology
Leica Microsystems
Owned by Danaher Corporation
German manufacturer of microscopy and scientific imaging equipment for research and diagnostics, owned by Danaher Corporation.
microscopyimagingscientific-equipment
Linx
Owned by Danaher Corporation
Global provider of industrial printing and product identification solutions offering inkjet and thermal printing systems for manufacturing and packaging applications.
product-identificationindustrial-printinginkjet-systems
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Stock Information
Danaher Corporation Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Market leadership in diagnostics and life sciences
- +Strong focus on innovation and R&D investment
- +Diversified portfolio across healthcare and environmental sectors
- +Global presence with operations in multiple continents
- +Disciplined acquisition and integration strategy
- +Strong financial position and cash generation
Considerations
- -Regulatory oversight of diagnostics and medical devices
- -Competition from specialized diagnostics companies
- -Healthcare market cycles and economic conditions
- -Integration challenges from acquisitions
- -Dependence on healthcare spending trends
- -Geopolitical risks affecting global operations
Frequently Asked Questions About Danaher Corporation
Is Danaher Corporation a subsidiary of another company?
No, Danaher Corporation is an independent, publicly traded corporation with no parent company. The company operates independently with its own management structure and board of directors, trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DHR.
Is Danaher Corporation publicly traded?
Yes, Danaher Corporation is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DHR. The company has been publicly traded since 1969 and is owned by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders worldwide.
Who owns Danaher Corporation?
Danaher Corporation is owned by its public shareholders who trade the company's stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DHR. The company operates independently with its own management team led by CEO Rainer M. Blair and board of directors, with no parent organization or controlling owner.
When was Danaher Corporation founded?
Danaher Corporation was founded in 1969 by brothers Steven M. Rales and Mitchell P. Rales in Washington, D.C. The company has over 55 years of business history, evolving from a diversified industrial conglomerate to a focused life sciences and diagnostics innovator.
Who founded Danaher Corporation?
Danaher Corporation was founded by brothers Steven M. Rales and Mitchell P. Rales. The founders established the company as a diversified conglomerate focused on manufacturing and industrial products, with a vision of building a disciplined, acquisition-driven business model that has become the foundation of Danaher's long-term success.
What is Danaher Corporation's market position?
Danaher Corporation is a leading global provider of diagnostics, life sciences, and environmental solutions. The company maintains strong market positions in molecular diagnostics, microscopy, and filtration technologies, serving healthcare providers, research institutions, and industrial customers worldwide. With $24.6 billion in 2025 revenue, Danaher is one of the largest life sciences and diagnostics companies globally.
What are Danaher Corporation's main business segments?
Danaher operates through three main segments: Diagnostics (molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, point-of-care testing), Life Sciences (tools for life sciences research and drug development), and Environmental and Applied Solutions (water quality and product identification solutions). The company also has three divisions: biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostics, each contributing significantly to overall revenue.
What are Danaher Corporation's 2026 financial expectations?
For 2026, Danaher anticipates low-single digit percent growth in non-GAAP core revenue for the first quarter and expects full-year 2026 non-GAAP core revenue to increase by 3% to 6% year-over-year. The company has provided guidance for full year adjusted diluted net earnings per common share in the range of $8.35 to $8.50, demonstrating confidence in continued growth and profitability.
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