Hurricane Compressors evolved from the enterprising brilliance of John Grimmer, an engineer who developed a prototype air compressor in 1967 while living in El Paso, Texas. Grimmer’s unique MonoBlock™ compressor was derived from "splitting" a V-8 engine into two compartments, using one bank of cylinders for engine power and the other for compression. Grimmer holds six patents on compressor and control designs.

Soon after, engineering colleague Bob Schmidt joined Grimmer and, in 1968, they formed GrimmerSchmidt Compressors and brought the MonoBlock compressor to market. In 1970 they relocated the Company to Franklin, Indiana. At that time, compressors built from this technology served primarily the construction industry.

In the early 1970's, the gasoline shortage prompted the Company to develop a MonoBlock compressor to provide high pressure natural gas for vehicle fueling. The technology gained from natural gas compression enabled the Company to move into the high pressure air and booster markets serving the oil, gas, and mining industries. Despite the energy crisis subsiding, this line of compressors showed promise but by 1993, it comprised only a small percent of the Company's production.

In 1993, the GrimmerSchmidt product line was sold, but Grimmer retained the high pressure and booster air and gas divisions and formed Hurricane Compressors to expand and grow those product lines. Hurricane products are now a major portion of Grimmer Industries’ products.

The GrimmerSchmidt product line was repurchased by the Grimmer family in 2000.

As of May 2008, GrimmerSchmidt Compressors and Hurricane Compressors were aquired by Atlas Copco, a world leader in compressed air technology. Now part of the Atlas Copco Group, Atlas Copco Hurricane LLC will be able to explore new markets and strengthen worldwide support.

John Grimmer