WEG

WEG is a manufacturer of electric-electronic equipment such as industrial electric motors, drives, soft starters, controls, panels, transformers, generators, and custom solutions. The company has five main businesses: Motors, Energy, Transmission and Distribution, Automation, and Coatings.

History

WEG was founded in 1961 by Werner Ricardo Voigt, Eggon João da Silva, and Geraldo Werninghaus as Eletromotores Jaraguá, a company that manufactured electric motors. By 1964, the company was able to purchase land and construct Plant I. In 1968, Centroweg was formed, a training department to help the workers become qualified mechanical engineers. Two years later, the company starts exporting its products. In 1972, WEG established its first reforestation plant. The following year, the company starts building Plant II in Jaragua do Sul. By 1975, WEG had manufactured one million motors. In 1981, the Blumenau factory was purchased. Within the same year, WEG Acionamentos, WEG Maquinas, WEG Transformadores, and WEG Florestal were all established. In 1982, the company's CCQ program (Quality Control Circles) was created. In 1983, the Guaramirim factory was purchased. Two years later, WEG Automacao was established. Later on in the year, WEG Group and holding, WEG S.A. was established. In 1988, WEG Exportadora was established. In 1991, the first branch of WEG Electric Corporation was established. The following year, WEG acquired a company in Belgium to gain a presence in Europe. In 1994, WEG enters Asia by establishing WEG Japan in Tokyo. A year later, branches were established in Germany and Australia. In 1997, a branch is established in England. Branches in France, Spain, and Sweden are established a year later. In 2000, factories were purchased for WEG Mexico, WEG Morbe, and WEG Intermatic. In 2001, the company established more branches, this time in Venezuela, Italy, and Holland. A year later, another factory was purchased; this time for WEG Portugal. In 2003, the company opened WEG Museum as well as branches in Chile and Columbia. In 2004, factories were purchased for WEG China and WEG Sao Bernardo. In the same year, a branch was established in India. In 2005, WEG Manaus purchased a factory and a branch was opened in Singapore. A year later, WEG celebrated 100 million motors produced. The company also purchased a factory for WEG Voltran. In 2007, WEG Itajai, HISA, and Trafo all purchased factories. The company also opened a branch in Dubai. WEG India Industries purchased land in 2008. In the same year, the company opened another branch in Russia. In 2010, WEG made several acquisitions: Zest in South Africa, Instrutech / SP, and Equisul / SC. The company also acquired controlling interest in Voltran. In 2011, the company established a branch in Peru and started manufacturing wind-power generators.

Headquarters & Locations

WEG is headquartered in Jaraguá do Sul/SC, Brazil with manufacturing plants in Rio Grande do Sul (Gravataí), Santa Catarina (Blumenau, Guaramirim, Itajaí and Joaçaba), São Paulo (São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo), Amazonas (Manaus), Espírito Santo (Linhares). The company also has manufacturing units around the world: Argentina, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, China, India, USA, Austria and Germany. Aside from these, WEG has distribution and trading centers located in the USA, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Australia, Japan, Singapore, India, Russia and United Arab Emirates. WEG Electric Corp's US Headquarters is located in Duluth, Georgia with seven production facilities as well as eight regional U.S. warehouses.

Photos Courtesy of WEG