Our story
Dafo Vehicle History
Dafo’s journey began in 1919 when Nils Forssberg and John Danielson founded the company under the name Danielson Forssberg & Co. The name was changed to Dafo Brand in the mid-1970s, where DAFO represents the combination of DAnielson and FOrssberg.
Initially, Dafo focused on trading portable fire extinguishers, particularly the Pyrene brand, which was one of the first halon extinguishers introduced in the 1960s. Over time, Dafo expanded its focus and became a wholesaler offering a full range of fire protection products. This significant shift occurred in the mid-1970s, aligning with the company's name change to Dafo.
In 1976, Dafo became one of the pioneers in developing integrated fire suppression systems for vehicles, a direct response to the insurance industry's demands for fire protection in forestry machinery. This innovation marked a key milestone in the company's evolution.
Fast forward to 2014, Dafo made its mark in the United States by establishing Dafo US in Wisconsin. In 2018, the office and warehouse were relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina. As Dafo’s vehicle fire detection and suppression operations grew, the company separated from its core fire safety equipment business on July 1st, 2018, giving birth to Dafo Vehicle.
The company expanded further internationally:
- On January 1st, 2020, Dafo Oy in Finland merged with Dafo Vehicle.
- On May 1st, 2020, Dafo Asia was established in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- On July 1st, 2020, Dafo Vehicle Estonia OÜ was formed in Estonia.
Dafo Vehicle Today
Dafo Vehicle provides fire detection and suppression systems for a wide range of heavy vehicle applications across industries, including:
- Agriculture
- Buses and Coaches
- Construction
- Forestry
- Ground Service Equipment
- Material and Cargo Handling (including Ports)
- Mining
- Special Applications such as generators and military vehicles
- Transport & Freight
- Waste Handling
Our Main Business Activities
- Integration – We integrate fire suppression systems directly into the OEM production line.
- Retrofit – We install fire suppression systems for end customers.
- Service & Maintenance – Ongoing support to ensure your systems perform at their best.
Why Choose Dafo Vehicle?
At Dafo Vehicle, we are more than just a fire protection provider. We offer comprehensive risk management services, guiding our customers through every step of the process. Our approach is built on trust, and we continuously:
- Listen to the challenges facing the industries we serve.
- Research the problems to gain a deep understanding.
- Develop solutions tailored to meet those challenges.
Our commitment to innovation and problem-solving ensures that we remain at the forefront of vehicle fire safety, protecting people, assets, and businesses worldwide.
