The Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association is a trade group for American manufacturers of wiring harnesses, electronic cable assemblies, and cord sets, along with their suppliers and distributors. It publishes the widely used standard IPC/WHMA-A-620 Acceptability of Electronic Wire Harnesses and Cables jointly with IPC.
The Origin of WHMA
It all started in early 1993 when a few brave senior industry executives from several wire harness/cable assembly manufacturing companies began their phone calls to around 25 mainly Midwest wire harness shops by promoting the mutual interest in creating an industry association.
After several months of networking through conference calls the “Wiring Harness Manufactures’ Association” (WHMA) was born in mid-1993 with nine Board Members.
In the fall of 1993, WHMA held its first Annual Conference at the Hilton Hotel in Novi, MI with around 50 industry attendees. The atmosphere was light as they all viewed each other as friendly competitors.
In 1993, WHMA contracted with a Chicago area-based management company, Larson & Association from where they found their first Executive Director, Andy Larson. Larson spent the first 10 years managing the WHMA origination. Over these ten years, WHMA’s membership grew from 90 to 180 total members.
WHMA’s Annual Global Leadership Summit
Beginning in 1993, WHMA’s Annual Global Leadership Summit has been held in the U.S.A. every winter and offers exciting networking events, professional development seminars, motivational speakers, an exhibit floor, and golf outings.
The Introduction of Wire Harness News
In 1994, Wire Harness News (WHN) was launched out of Richmond, IL by Fred Knaack, Publisher. With WHMA’s support, WHN has become the only major wire harness/cable assembly industry journal.
Standard Development with IPC
In 1998, WHMA developed a signed MOU agreement with IPC (Intergrated Printed Circuits) of Northbrook, IL. Together IPC and WHMA developed a set of industry wire harness/cable assembly standards & workmanships called the IPC/WHMA-A-620. These guidelines have been a very valuable asset to the WHMA members, and other industry companies. This document has evolved from an “A” to “E” level of revisions for training & certifications.
Electrical Wire and Processing Technology Expo
In the early 2000s WHMA became a very important exhibitor/supporter of the Electric Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE). The event is held in Milwaukee, WI each year in May. The expo was recognized as a top 100 fastest-growing show in the United States for net square footage and number of exhibiting companies.
Agreements and Growth
In 2002 WHMA signed an agreement with ASI (Association Solutions, Inc) of Minnesota and Jim Manke as executive director of WHMA. The agreement was retired in 2019 after 17 years of a very successful relationship.
In January 2019, WHMA signed an agreement that made IPC of Illinois executive director of WHMA. To this day, the partnership with IPC has contributed to the successful growth of WHMA and created opportunities for its members. There are now approximately 250 WHMA members and 13 Board of Directors along with several Board Advisors.
The “Bud and Gus” Award
In 1997, WHMA created the “Bud & Gus Award” for members who “go the extra mile.” This award was created in memory of two industry pioneers, Bud Melugin of Lamcor and Gus Knaack of Able Cable. The award was originally presented on behalf of their sons, Dennis Melugin and Fred Knaack.
Winners of the “Bud and Gus Award”:
1997 – MIKE WILLIAMS (UNLIMITED SERVICES)
1998 – JUDY WILSON SHEPHERD (WILCO WIRE TECH)
1999 – BILL BROWN (SQUIRE)
2000 – NO AWARD GIVEN
2001 – LARRY CHAMBLY (USA HARNESS)
2002 – VERNON JUDY (QUALSTAT)
2003 – NORM SAGON (ETS)
2004 – LYLE FAHNING (TSE)
2005 – JOE PORTER (AMP / TYCO)
2006 – BRETT MILLER (USA HARNESS)
2007 – BRENT STRINGHAM/MARLIN SHELLEY (CIRRIS)
2008 – BILL KESSENICH (UNLIMITED SERVICES)
2009 – MIKE O’DONNELL (KENWOOD)
2010 – MARILYN MAGOWAN (WHN)
2011 – RANDY OLSON (SQUIRE)
2012 – MIKE RIZZO (SCHLEUNIGER)
2013 – PAUL NELSON (DATA CABLE)
2014 – MARK WOOD (SELF-EMPLOYED)
2015 – MARK CHRISTIE (IEWC)
2016 – RICK BROMM (ALTEX)
2017 – JOE ROBERTS (HELLERMAN TYTON)
2018 – DONNIE HILL (PRECISION MFG)
WHMA Hall of Fame
2020 – LYLE FAHNING (TSE)
2022 – BUD BOWEN (WINCHESTER)
2022 – NORM SAGON (NFS GROUP)
2023 – DONNIE HILL (PRECISION MFG)
2024 – BILL KESSENICH (AMPHENOL UNLIMITED SERVICES)
2024 – VERON JUDY SR. (QUALSTAT)
2024 – GUSTAVO FARELL (CESAR-SCOTT)
2024 – JOE ROBERTS (HELLERMAN TYTON)
Hall of Builder Award
In 2022, WHMA developed the “Hall of Builders Award” for companies to recognize individuals and their long-term efforts supporting their company and the industry at all levels. Past recipients include:
Mike Andrusak
Terry and Deb Stenton
Loren Smith (in memoriam)
WHMA Chairmen/Presidents
1993 – 1995 – MIKE WILLIAMS (UNLIMITED SERVICES)
1996 – 2001- NORM SAGON (ETS)
2002 – 2004 – JUDY WILSON SHEPHERD (WILCO WIRE TECH)
2005 – 20012 – LYLE FAHNING (TSE)
2013 – MARK WOOD (SELF – EMPLOYED/ACTRONIX)
2014 – 2020 – RICK BROMM (ALTEX)
2021 – 2023 – JOE DEMAN (AMPHENOL – CTI)
2024 – PRESENT – PARKER GARRETT (EMSCO)
Remembering Loren Smith
Loren was one of the WHMA founding members and owner/CEO of Blue Valley Capital, an advisory “Match Maker” industry company for assisting wire harness business owners who wanted a successful transition out of the industry. Loren’s industry experience, along with marketplace knowledge, created a foundation of trust with the WHMA membership industry groups. We will all remember his unique humor and genuine laughter along with that confident smile. His motto was: “Make Some Money, Take Care of Others & Have Fun Doing It”