About WAI Global

WHO ARE WAI GLOBAL?

A Leading Parts Manufacturer for the Aftermarket


  • Innovation and creativity are the forces that drive WAI’s success. Since its founding, WAI has worked relentlessly to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers in the automotive, heavy duty, agricultural & industrial, and power sports aftermarket. This includes an unwavering commitment to be “first-to-market” with the latest model products available. As a leading manufacturer, sourcing, and distribution/logistics company, WAI offers its customers ready access to an extensive range of products including:

  • 100% new alternators, starters and their components
  • Voltage regulators, rectifiers, solenoids, starter drives & test equipment
  • 100% new ignition distributors
  • Ignition modules and coils
  • Manifold Air Pressure (MAP) and Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensors
  • 100% new wiper motors
  • Engine management components

A Dominant Global Presence


  • Consistently meeting the parts needs of the more than 105 countries to which WAI sells requires world-class parts manufacturing facilities and a robust distribution network. WAI’s team is comprised of over 650 employees in 14 countries including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe and China. This network operates with exceptional precision under one united goal – to provide customers with the products they need, when they need them.
HISTORY
  • 2015 Opened a new warehouses in Poland and UK

  • 2011- 2014: Acquired Sovereign in United Kingdom Acquired RCP in Canada Opened distributions center in Montreal

  • 2010: Opened a 64k sq. ft. distribution center in Los Angeles Established WAI Brazil, expanding Latin America distribution Acquired Lester Catalog Company increasing the WAI catalog and web service offerings Acquired Dorman Products ignition distributor division, expanding products and customers served

  • 2009: Expanded product line offering ignition distributors and engine management products to the automotive aftermarket

  • 2007: Opened a 270k sq. ft. distribution center in Memphis Merged with Auto Electric Suppliers (AES) and Marine Electric Suppliers (MES), greatly increasing complete alternator and starter product offerings, including marine, powersports and outdoor power equipment

  • 2006: Opened WAI–Europe in Amsterdam, further expanding distribution in Europe

  • 2005: Acquired SWS, further expanding Canadian distribution

  • 2004: Acquired Cyma, establishing distribution in Canada Acquired Transpo Electronics in Orlando, Florida; Hannover, Germany and Shanghai, China, greatly expanding electronics manufacturing and global distribution

  • 1999: Acquired Semicon in San Jose, Costa Rica, expanding electronics manufacturing to include voltage regulators

  • 1998: Acquired Renard Manufacturing in Miami, Florida, establishing rectifier / electronics manufacturing Expanded distribution network, product line and services offered to the auto electrical rebuilding marketplace

  • 1980: Established distribution centers

  • 1978: Company founded by Richard Wetherill with 34 employees
QUALITY
  • Serving the Aftermarket with the Highest Quality Standards and Parts WAI’s long-standing commitment to safety and quality has helped make it the preferred parts manufacturer to the aftermarket industry. Key to WAI’s success is its extensive global staff of design engineers, supplier quality engineers, customer quality and technical support engineers. Together, this team ensures that all products are engineered and produced to meet/exceed O.E.M specifications. WAI is ISO 9001, TS 16949, and ISO 14001 certified and all products undergo stringent validation prior to being released to the aftermarket.

WAI’s validation testing includes:


  • Endurance
  • Humidity
  • Power Thermal Cycling
  • Vibration
  • Salt Spray
  • Thermal shock
MANUFACTURING
  • Employing the Most Advanced Parts Manufacturing Principles to Produce the Highest Quality Product WAI’s state-of-the art production facility and streamlined parts manufacturing practices help it consistently meet the quality standards and supply demands of the global aftermarket.

  • Located in Shanghai, China, WAI’s 100,000-square-foot manufacturing plant possesses the most advanced equipment and precision technology available. This technology includes optical guided pick-and-place robotics and computerized laser trimming. WAI combines this technology with proven manufacturing principles including lean manufacturing, 5S discipline and statistical process control (SPC) to provide its customers with high-quality products at a reasonable price. A Skilled and Experienced Production Team WAI’s production team is committed to consistently being the first-to-market with the latest model products. This commitment, paired with the skill and expertise of the team, results in the introduction of more than 200 new products to the aftermarket each year.

WAI’s production team is comprised of highly skilled professionals in the following disciplines:


  • Electronics manufacturing
  • Research and development
  • Engineering
  • Quality control
  • Product validation
  • Sourcing
  • Purchasing