History of K&N Engineering and the K&N High Flow Performance Air Filter
- 16 Dec 2003
In 1964 Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald started a business for motorcycle enthusiasts. They rented and sold motorcycles and accessories to die-hard performance lovers. Soon the founders began answering various needs with high quality parts. One of those needs was for an air filter that could keep the fine dirt experienced in off-road racing from damaging the engines. This filter had to be washable and reusable and allow enough air to keep the motorcycles running at peak performance. The original K&N High Flow air filter was born and in 1969 K&N Engineering became known more for its performance air filters than for rental bikes and parts. It wasn't long before the filter technology was applied to automotive applications.
Thirty-five years later, Ken and Norm have moved on but K&N's commitment to providing top quality products that deliver as promised is stronger than ever. K&N boasts in excess of 55,000 applications, covering a vast majority of the vehicles on the road today. More than 600 employees research, develop and manufacture K&N products.
Headquartered where they started, in Riverside, California, K&N Engineering manufactures the majority of its products from raw materials on machines designed in-house. In addition to manufacturing, K&N has one of the most sophisticated Research and Development facilities in the performance aftermarket, complete with air filtration testing capabilities, engine and chassis dynos, air flow testing stations, mass air flow (MAF) meter testing and a myriad of other technologies to help K&N design and manufacture the best products possible.
K&N also has a manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom that covers Scandinavia, Russia, the Middle East and the European markets. K&N's distribution centers are located in Riverside, Warrington, and Venlo. To further internationalize, in 2000 a Sales and Marketing office was established in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and further expansion will continue into the future.
In its 35 years, K&N has continued to be a pioneer with numerous improvements to its products. In addition to their washable/reusable High Flow Air Filters, K&N offers four lines of High Flow Intake Kits that provide guaranteed horspower. K&N started a revolution with their Fuel Injection Performance Kits and AirCharger Kits, easy to install kits that replace the restrictive factory intake tract and allow a smooth flow of air from the company's famous washable and reusable air filter (all Fuel Injection Performance Kits are approved for use on Emission-controlled vehicles and 50 state legal). Today it's hard to find a performance vehicle without some form of intake system upgrade. When enthusiasts began asking for ways to improve the looks of their engine compartment and add performance, K&N answered with their Typhoon Intake Kits (69 Series) for sport compact cars and recently with their 77 Series High Flow Intakes for sport trucks - both offer high quality aluminum tubing (in polished or powdercoated finish) and premium hardware, along with a K&N air filter, for great performance and cool looks.
K&N Air Filters and Intake Kits are backed by the famous K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty™ -- K&N stands behind their products and more than 35 years in business shows that the company continues to satisfy its customers. K&N has garnered numerous awards from SEMA, including "Manufacturer of the Year in 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2000 making K&N the first company to receive this prestigious award four times.
Often imitated, K&N has yet to be duplicated and with a commitment to excellence, innovation and relentless drive to maintain their leadership position as manufacturers of the "World's Best Performance Air Filter," it's unlikely that any company will come close.
For additional information, please contact K&N Engineering, Inc., P.O. Box 1329, Riverside, CA 92502-1329, (800) 213-4182 for a dealer near you, (800) 858-3333 for technical service/questions, (951) 826-4001 Fax, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.knfilters.com.
Thirty-five years later, Ken and Norm have moved on but K&N's commitment to providing top quality products that deliver as promised is stronger than ever. K&N boasts in excess of 55,000 applications, covering a vast majority of the vehicles on the road today. More than 600 employees research, develop and manufacture K&N products.
Headquartered where they started, in Riverside, California, K&N Engineering manufactures the majority of its products from raw materials on machines designed in-house. In addition to manufacturing, K&N has one of the most sophisticated Research and Development facilities in the performance aftermarket, complete with air filtration testing capabilities, engine and chassis dynos, air flow testing stations, mass air flow (MAF) meter testing and a myriad of other technologies to help K&N design and manufacture the best products possible.
K&N also has a manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom that covers Scandinavia, Russia, the Middle East and the European markets. K&N's distribution centers are located in Riverside, Warrington, and Venlo. To further internationalize, in 2000 a Sales and Marketing office was established in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and further expansion will continue into the future.
In its 35 years, K&N has continued to be a pioneer with numerous improvements to its products. In addition to their washable/reusable High Flow Air Filters, K&N offers four lines of High Flow Intake Kits that provide guaranteed horspower. K&N started a revolution with their Fuel Injection Performance Kits and AirCharger Kits, easy to install kits that replace the restrictive factory intake tract and allow a smooth flow of air from the company's famous washable and reusable air filter (all Fuel Injection Performance Kits are approved for use on Emission-controlled vehicles and 50 state legal). Today it's hard to find a performance vehicle without some form of intake system upgrade. When enthusiasts began asking for ways to improve the looks of their engine compartment and add performance, K&N answered with their Typhoon Intake Kits (69 Series) for sport compact cars and recently with their 77 Series High Flow Intakes for sport trucks - both offer high quality aluminum tubing (in polished or powdercoated finish) and premium hardware, along with a K&N air filter, for great performance and cool looks.
K&N Air Filters and Intake Kits are backed by the famous K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty™ -- K&N stands behind their products and more than 35 years in business shows that the company continues to satisfy its customers. K&N has garnered numerous awards from SEMA, including "Manufacturer of the Year in 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2000 making K&N the first company to receive this prestigious award four times.
Often imitated, K&N has yet to be duplicated and with a commitment to excellence, innovation and relentless drive to maintain their leadership position as manufacturers of the "World's Best Performance Air Filter," it's unlikely that any company will come close.
For additional information, please contact K&N Engineering, Inc., P.O. Box 1329, Riverside, CA 92502-1329, (800) 213-4182 for a dealer near you, (800) 858-3333 for technical service/questions, (951) 826-4001 Fax, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.knfilters.com.
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