Wiring Harness Manufacturer's Association

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 (1993)

It all started when in early 1993 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 9 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 is held in winter in the U.S.A. and offers exciting networking events, professional development seminars, motivational speakers, an exhibit floor, and golf outings.

The Introduction of Wire Harness News (1994)

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 (1998)

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 (2000-Present)

In the early 2000’s 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 (2002-Present)

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.

Hall of Fame - The Inception of the “Bud and Gus Award” (1997)

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 Chairman / President List

1993 - 1995 MIKE WILLIAMS (UNLIMITED SERVICES)

1996 - 2001 NORM SAGON (ETS)

2002 - 2004 JUDY WILSON SHEPHERD (WILCO WIRE TECH)

2005 MARK WOOD (SELF - EMPLOYED)

2005 – 2012 LYLE FAHNING (TSE)

2013 – 2020 RICK BROMM (ALTEX)

2021 – 2023 JOE DEMAN (AMPHENOL - CTI)

2024 – PRESENT PARKER GARRETT (EMSCO)

Hall of Builders Award and Industry Recognitions:

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. Some past recipients:

2022 Mike Andrusak

2023 Terry and Deb Stenton

2024 Loren Smith - Honored In Memoriam

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 those 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.”

External links

• Official website

See also

• IPC, Association Connecting Electronics Industries (formerly the Institute for Printed Circuits)
• IPC/WHMA-A-620, Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies