Wells Vehicle Electronics – an industry-leading global automotive parts manufacturer – recently celebrated 120 years of continuous manufacturing in Fond du Lac, WI with events for both employees and their families and friends.
On Friday, August 4, current and retired Wells associates came together to celebrate this milestone anniversary with an Employee Appreciation Cookout, filled with food, music, games, prizes and fun. Then on Sunday, August 6, Wells associates and their families enjoyed a fun-filled day of music, food, family-friendly outdoor games and activities to commemorate 120 years of service to the automotive industry.
“In our mission statement, we state that we place our associates first in everything that we do, and everything that we have been able to accomplish for our customers and as a company is because of what our great and dedicated associates do each and every day for Wells,” said Pat Sommerfeld, President & Chief Operating Officer of Wells Vehicle Electronics. “Not many businesses can say that they’ve been in business for 120 years, but our passion for designing and manufacturing industry-leading products and taking care of our associates is what’s gotten us this far and will remain the driving force for the future. Thank you to all of our associates – past and present – our customers, our board of directors, and our corporate parent company, Niterra, for your support and dedication.”
In 1903, the Duplex Coil Company – a small machine shop operated by Edward J. Huber – opened its doors in Fond du Lac, WI, and a group of six dedicated employees began to manufacture the duplex vibrator-type automotive ignition coil. At the same time, Henry Ford introduced assembly line manufacturing to fuel the new and rapidly growing automotive industry. In 1912, engineer Robert C. Wells incorporated what is known today as Wells Vehicle Electronics, and named it the R.C. Wells Manufacturing Corporation, where the duplex vibrator coils for automotive ignition systems were produced, along with other automotive electrical components, including ignition coils for the Ford Model T.
What mattered most to Robert Wells and Henry Ford from the very start of the automotive era – manufacturing, delivering, and supporting high-quality, reliable products – matters even more now – 120 years later. Though the location and look of the facility in Fond du Lac has changed dramatically over the past 120 years, Wells’ commitment to building industry leading vehicle electronics and engine management components – with a focus on engineering, manufacturing, testing and validation, customer service, sales and marketing, and technical support – has remained steadfast.
Today, in addition to its corporate headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Fond du Lac, Wells operates a robust manufacturing facility in Reynosa, Mexico, distribution facilities in Centerville, Iowa, and Mission, Texas, and a purchasing and engineering office in Shanghai, China. Each Wells location held celebrations to commemorate this milestone anniversary.
Wells Vehicle Electronics’ Marketing Team created a 120th Anniversary Video that explores the past, present, and future of Wells via interviews with long-time associates and executives, which is available to view on YouTube.
