| |
| 1940s | 1950s
| 1960s | 1970s
| 1980s | 1990s
| 2000s |
| |
| 1939 |
 |
WIX is founded by John Doane
"Jack" Wicks and Paul G. Crawshaw on the idea of
manufacturing filter replacements that would simplify
the filter changing process. Allen Sims becomes
first president. |
|
Wix Accessories Corporation makes first sock-covered refill for popular oil filters. |
|
| 1940 |
|
Handles on sock type filters |
|
| 1942 |
|
Wix broadens its coverage to include first cotten-thread-filled oil filter refills for farm. |
|
| 1943 |
|
Sock end tucked inside-no exposed
ends |
|
| 1944 |
|
Wix makes can-type filter refills for passenger cars with these improvements: Beautifully lithographed in striking colors; rust-proofed; catalog number lithographed on filter refill; permanent built-in seals. |
|
| 1945 |
|
From its contributions to the
war effort, WIX Corporation becomes an established
and growing force in the filter industry. |
|
| 1946 |
|
Wix is again first in making complete filter applications, simple to install, dependable and economical. |
|
| 1948 |
|
Wix completely covers the passenger car, truck and tractor market and provides simple, quick, and economical conversion for increasing the capacity of existing filter equipment on most vehicles. WF-100,WF-1/2, WF-500, WF-120, WF-130 |
|
| 1949 |
|
Wix oil filters are installed at the factory as standard equipment on such famous brands of farm machinery as: Case, Oliver, and Minneapolis-Moline Tractors; Diamond "T" Trucks; Wisconsin Engines; and Harnishfeger Diesel Power Units. |
|
| 1950 |
|
WIXITE; It cuts through old concepts of filtering efficiency…getting more sin and corruption out of the oil and getting more service out of the filter. |
|
| 1951 |
|
WIXITE; envelops the oil in a labyrinth of millions of tiny, sludge-hungry passages, trapping all contaminants without removing valuable additives…then, freely passes refreshed oil back for continued good, safe lubrication. |
|
Director for testing oil "Check your filter when you check your oil!" |
|
| 1953 |
|
"750" housing with "T" handle.
Only "750" housing in use requiring no tools. |
|
| 1954 |
|
The revolutionary spin-on filter,
patented by WIX, gains wide acceptance. Today, most
automobiles come from the factory with this type
of oil filter. |
|
Wix designed self-contained end seals which eliminate trouble from lost, damaged or wrong size washers. Wix originated the rust-proof lithographed can. |
|
| 1955 |
|
Wix is O.E. with these engine and vehicle manufacturers: Buda, Case, Continental, Diamond-T, Harnischfeger, Le Roi, Lycoming, Mid-Western, Minneapolis-Moline, New Holland, Oliver, Studebaker-Packard, Willys, Wisconsin |
|
| 1956 |
|
WIX knit filter media |
|
The great new Wix "SPIN-ON" filter is original equipment on Ford, Mercury, Lincoln Continental, Thunderbird and Turnpike Cruiser. |
|
| 1957 |
|
Developed/manufactured true
full-flow depth type media |
|
WIX-KNIT premium Wix Filtrant in the gold can be prescribed for full-flow systems |
|
| 1958 |
|
Railroad sock cartridge filters |
|
| 1959 |
|
Ford lube conversion kits |
|
In September an associate plant opened in Auckland, New Zealand |
|
| 1960 |
|
Grit paint for easy spin-on
removal |
|
Molded gasket integral with
lid on spin-on filters |
|
Corrugated boxes for light
duty air filters |
|
Wix now services warehouses in Dallas, Des Moines, Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento, St. Louis, and New York |
|
| 1961 |
|
Wix slogan,"The Gold Standard in Filtration for your Car" |
|
2,055 billboards will carry the Wix story in every section of the country from coast to coast during the travel seasons. |
|
Wix Sales for 1961 were 14.6% above the preceding year |
|
| 1962 |
|
Hex nut for easy spin-on removal |
|
Two piece Mack lube-filter
(CW240MP/CW240MS) |
|
Wix billboards make the statement "Wix wants your dirty oil" |
|
Sales increase of 15.6% over 1961 |
|
| 1963 |
|
The New WIX Dualon Air Filter, two stage principle is an amazing breakthrough in the art of filtration |
|
Multi Mileage WIX Depth Type Oil Filters, the only filter that effectively filters the new "Long Distance" oils over the recommended extended oil change periods. The New WIX MULTI-CEL filter - the ulitmate in Oil Filtration |
|
Wix outdoor advertising increased to 3,300 locations in major trading areas coast to coast |
|
| 1964 |
|
First dual valve/dual media
filter |
|
51953 conversion for Cummins
bag filter |
|
Wide spread use of impact extruded
aluminum cans |
|
Air filter two color top and
bottom to distinguish top |
|
American final filter |
|
Oil burner filters |
|
Construction has started on an addition of 108,000 sq.ft. to the Allen Plant bringing the total to 278,000 sq. ft. |
|
Wix Filters advertising in 25 trade publications. |
|
| 1965 |
|
Air filter arched shape pleat |
|
In December WIX is fortunate to receive approval of National Automotive Parts Association to become their supplier of filter products under their name brand of N.A.P.A. |
|
Wix Sales increase 15.9% over previous year |
|
| 1966 |
|
51900 conversion for Cummins
bag filter |
|
Under the AutoLite brand name Wix is now producing a full line of filter products for Ford's distribution to their dealer market. |
|
Wix designed, tooled, and produced two major new product lines, involving more than 650 new filters |
|
Wix Sales increase 28.2% over 1965 |
|
| 1967 |
|
After much preliminary research and development, Wix has decided to produce a line of racing oil filters |
|
In August a new multiple-operation horizontal transfer press was installed at the Allen Plant. This press, necessary conveyors and automatic feeding equipment, produces filter cans at the rate of forty per minute. The new equipment is capable of doubling previous capacity |
|
| 1968 |
|
Chevrolet lube conversion kits |
|
Wix manufacturers for 43 OE customers. Wix becomes an industrial member of the National Association of Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) during 1968 to further develop the awareness of WIX with the motoring public |
|
We believe our "customer-oriented managers who must manage" concept is one of the great strengths of the company |
|
Wix Sales increase 19.2% over 1967, though we utilize sophisticated controls and third generation computers, we do not stifle or discourage the creativity or inventiveness of our managers up and down the organizational line. We believe our "customer-oriented managers who must manage" concept is one of the great strengths of the company |
|
| 1969 |
|
Spiral locked seamed tube for
railroad filters |
|
During the NASCAR season, WIX cars won 13 out of 14 Super Speedway races of 400 miles or more. Lee Roy Yarbrough, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Richard Petty, Bobby Issac, Buddy Baker, and Donne Allison are but a few of the champion drivers who relied on Wix Filters to protect their engines on the grueling Super Speedway |
|
| 1970 |
|
The Dixon Plant was purchased
in south Gastonia. |
|
Wix introduces 310 new filters as well as a new line of dual valve/dual media, maximum protection oil filters |
|
Wix Allen Plant is now at 540,000 sq. ft. |
|
| 1972 |
|
Early in 1972, The National Association of Security Dealers agreed to list transactions of Wix shares in the daily over-the-counter quotations (NASDAQ) |
|
| 1974 |
|
Detroit Diesel lube conversion
kits |
|
| 1977 |
|
For the first time, WIX filters
are manufactured outside of Gastonia in a new facility
located in Dillon, S.C. |
|
| 1979 |
|
WIX Corporation merges into
Dana. The strength, resources and stability of Dana
combined with the loyalty and dedication of WIX
People enables the WIX Division to grow and prosper
beyond the highest expectations. |
|
| 1982 |
|
Dana launched its Wix de Venezuela
filter operation, today considered a leader in the
Venezuelan and South American filter market. |
|
| 1983 |
|
WIX acquires Air Refiner of
Oklahoma City |
|
Japanese style design spin-on
filters (First US manufacturer) |
|
Styrofoam pads used in air
filter packaging |
|
| 1987 |
|
Silicone sealing gaskets |
|
| 1988 |
|
Tianjin, China - A joint venture
is formed, creating Tianjin-WIX |
|
| 1989 |
|
Tapered ends on air filters
for better sealing characteristics |
|
| 1991 |
|
WIX embarks on the Total Quality
journey. The initiative involves and challenges
every person in the WIX Division to improve. |
|
K. E. Humbert, Jr. retires
from WIX in April after 41 years of service and
moves to Tianjin as general manager of the company |
|
WIX receives the "Spirit of
NAPA" Award |
|
| 1992 |
|
The first conical filter is
created in partnership with Ford Motor Company who
rewards WIX with the "General Manager's Award" for
the Division's work on the breakthrough design. |
|
Division Operating Committee
adopts "The Vision of the NEW WIX Corporation" |
|
WIX is recognized by the Gaston
Literacy Council for literacy program and GED program |
|
CARQUEST names WIX Filters
"Supplier of the Year" |
|
WIX receives "Gold Star" performance
award from Dana |
|
| 1993 |
|
An advanced distribution system
is implemented, elevating WIX delivery capabilities
to the world class level. |
|
Quality Journey begins with
the new Dana Six Sigma Challenge |
|
Division Operating Committee
approves "State of the Practice" distribution system
with IBM |
|
Received Silver Award in Dana
Six Sigma Quality Challenge |
|
WIX named Supplier of the Year
by Parts. Inc. |
|
New concept filter, the conical
filter |
|
| 1994 |
|
WIX receives Silver Award for
Dana Quality Leadership Application |
|
| 1995 |
|
WIX receives Silver Award in
Dana Quality Leadership Application |
|
| 1996 |
|
Division Operating Committee
adopts new Vision, Mission, and Quality policy statements |
|
WIX Filters becomes the Officially
Licensed Filter of NASCAR. |
|
WIX develops, for import cars,
a new panel air filter design, new type of air intake
seal |
|
WIX begins production on cabin
air filters at Dillon Plant |
|
WIX and Helsa-Werke of Germany
form joint venture. Helsa pioneered the development
of cabin air filters in Europe in the 1980s |
|
WIX expands its manufacturing
and fuel filter production capabilities with the
acquisition of Flexon, Inc., of Ferndale, Michigan |
|
WIX receives Silver Award for
Dana Quality Leadership Application |
|
Hayes-Dana of Canada aligns
with WIX, becomes WIX-Canada |
|
Cabin air filter patented media
removes particles |
|
Import new panel design |
|
| 1997 |
|
The Enterprise Resource Planning
program is announced. WIX people and Price Waterhouse
Coopers establish offices in Ozark Facility |
|
WIX formation of a joint venture
company with Filtron in Gostyn, Poland |
|
WIX achieves ISO 9001 and QS9000
certification for seven North American manufacturing
facilities. |
|
WIX receives Silver Award for
Dana Quality Leadership Application. |
|
| 1998 |
|
Redefine operating philosophy,
Vision and Mission. People including retirees, embrace
"WIX - That's Our Future" |
|
WIX receives Gold Award for
the Dana Quality Leadership Application and sets
sights on DQLA650 |
|
Delphi's Southhampton, UK facility
acquired to establish a European foothold for WIX. |
|
| 1999 |
|
WIX Racing Program establishes
broad advertising and promotions programs sponsoring
Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR and NHRA race teams. |
|
WIX gets Auto Value Associates'
1998 Supplier Award for outstanding marketing |
|
WIX-OKC wins State of Oklahoma
Quality Achievement Award |
|
WIX earns US patent for racing
air filter |
|
WIX gets Kmart business Dillon
Plant produces more than a million filters for first
rollout. |
|
Service with soul and total
commitment to order fill becomes second nature to
every person |
|
Racing air filters low restriction
high performance |
|
WIX is named Volunteer of the
Year in the Business and Industry Category for Gaston
County |
|
WIX gets second gold Award
with DQLP 687 points in Dana Quality Leadership
Process |
|
| 2000 |
|
WIX begins Interactive Journey
by developing next generation eCommerce Web Site
"WIX Connect" |
|
Oct 23, 2000 WIX launches Phase
1 of the Internet Site |
|
Renewed Officially Licensed
status with NASCAR |
|
Renewed Associate Sponsorship
with Joe Gibbs Racing #18 |
|
Renewed Joe Gibbs as WIX Brand
Official Spokesperson |
|
August 6th - 12th WIX Brand
Becomes the official Sponsorship of the Sturgis Motorcycle
Rally |
|
May 25th & 26th WIX Brand
Sponsors the World of Outlaws Inaugural race "WIX
Filters Southern Showdown" at the NEW Lowes
Motor Speedway Dirt Track |
|
ALL/PRO Bumper to Bumper Parts Depot - Vendor of the Year |
|
Auto-Wares, Supplier of the Year |
|
Spirit of NAPA Award |
|
Kmart CarCare Supplier of the Year |
|
CARQUEST Order Fill Award |
|
| 2001 |
|
O'Reilly Group "Vendor of the Year for Training and Technical Support" |
|
Wix Earns ISO 14001 Registration for Allen and Oklahoma City Plants |
|
Parts Depot Company "Vendor of the Year" |
|
WIX Filters Earns Counterman Magazine's Readers' Choice Award |
|
Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance "Top Award for Outstanding Shipping Performance" |
|
| 2002 |
|
ALL/PRO Bumper to Bumper Auto Value - "Outstanding Shipping Performance" |
|
ALL/PRO Bumper to Bumper Auto Value - "Outstanding Manpower Performance" |
|
