The DODGE Manufacturing Company was incorporated on April 3, 1880, two years after Wallace H. Dodge began the manufacture of wood hardware specialties. One year later, Wallace Dodge's original wood split pulley patent was issued, the first of hundreds of patented power transmission products created, that would help revolutionize the industry.

In 1914, DODGE Sales & Engineering Company was formed to sell and distribute DODGE Manufacturing Company products. However, the two companies were consolidated under the DODGE Manufacturing Company name in January of 1923.

In 1967, DODGE merged with Reliance Electric, after Reliance had acquired Reeves and Master, two of the three leaders of mechanical power transmission. The merged companies became one line, which is the DODGE brand.