IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1533344
IPC COMMUNITY 30 SPRING 2025 T he Wiring Harness Manufac- turer's Association (WHMA) is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and a shared commitment to industry excellence. Since its start in the early 1990s, WHMA has grown into a vital pillar for global manufac- turers of wiring harnesses, cable assemblies, and their suppliers. "WHMA began as a small group of community-minded individuals who dedicated themselves to improving our trade," says Joe DeMan, former WHMA chair. "The focus was to create a leadership group to help educate and connect individuals who recognized their product's vital role in the electronics industry. Though competitors in the field, they became partners dedicated to the growth and sustainability of our industry. That sense of partnership continues to this day." The Dawn of a Vision More than 30 years ago, a deter- mined group of senior executives from wire harness and cable assembly companies launched an ambitious outreach effort by calling approximately 25 manufacturing shops across the Midwest. Their mission was to unite the industry under one banner, fostering a com- munity built on shared knowledge and mutual growth. That vision came to life in 1993 with the forma- tion of WHMA and nine founding board members. According to Norm Sagon, a WHMA founder and member of the first board of directors, WHMA hosted its first Annual Conference that same year in Novi, Michigan, where approximately 50 industry professionals gathered. "We gath- ered to establish a board, by-laws, and member and technical com- mittees," Norm says. "It marked the start of valuable first-hand net- working." Building Momentum with Leadership and Support Under the leadership of Execu- tive Director Andy Larsen, WHMA BUILDING BRIDGES and Setting Standards How a small group of pioneers transformed the wire harness industry By Brittany Martin, Marketing Manager, I-Connect007 WHMA