Whelen - "Engineering the State-of-the-Art"

A great deal of trust is placed in a vendor when we align their name with the respected name of CHIEF. Introducing you to a company whose standards are as high as our own, presents the opportunity to become more of an expert in the products that CHIEF carries.

This month, we pay tribute to Whelen® (pronounced "wee-lin") Engineering Company, makers of emergency warning systems. CHIEF proudly carries an array of emergency warning lights and sirens from Whelen Engineering.

Always on the Cutting Edge

Whelen began in 1952, when George W. Whelen developed a rotating aircraft "anti-collision beacon." This original concept was expanded to create a magnetic mounted beacon used by police, fire departments, public safety officials and to convert hearses into ambulance service vehicles.

In 1963, Whelen began researching strobe light technology in order to present affordable, reliable and highly effective strobe products to the light aircraft industry, which was followed by the automotive market. During the 1970s, Whelen continued to build its research and development divisions to create more aviation products and a broader line of automotive and railroad safety lighting devices. The first completely strobe-light-operated, enclosed crossbar was introduced as the 6000 Series, replaced in 1978 by the 8000 Series. The 1970s also saw the introduction of the Outdoor Warning Siren, which is capable of emitting warning tones as well as high-powered voice messaging alerts.

Advanced Engineering Drives Advances in Emergency Warning Systems

As Whelen increased their product offerings, they continued to grow the company's engineering and product development divisions. In 1983, the company introduced a strategic advancement in lightbars with their low-profile Edge® 9000 Lightbar. Still in production, for more than 25 years Whelen's engineers have refined and updated the Edge Lightbar series. Today, the Edge remains the leader in cutting-edge technology for emergency warning light systems.

Whelen also supported and developed the concept of uniform ambulance lighting, using more efficient and effective systems to reduce power consumption and increase vehicle reliability. By the year 2000, Whelen had designed and developed the newest LED warning technology, creating a diverse line of emergency warning lighting products with exceptional performance and reliability. What was once considered low profile, has been pushed forward into ultra-low-profile lighting systems. Lightbars, dash and deck lighting as well as a wide range of lightheads and heavy-duty, low-current LEDs are now the choice of fire, emergency and DOT professionals nationwide.

Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

Demand for Whelen products fueled the need for their manufacturing facilities to grow. New, expanded facilities have enabled Whelen to house the plastic injection molding equipment needed to produce the high-quality, injection-molded components vital to their lighting systems product lines.

Sales, service and warehouses in 25 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe support Whelen's three facilities in Chester, Connecticut; Charlestown, New Hampshire, and Coventry, England. The acknowledged leader in the industry, Whelen strives to fill the need for innovative safety warning systems with a large engineering staff backed by a state-of-the-art environmental testing laboratory. Following a tradition established by the founding Whelens 56 years ago, the company rewards the pride and commitment of their work force — whose average employment is 22 years — by sharing the company's benefits as share holders.

The use of robotics and a motivated workforce enables Whelen to compete with off-shore manufacturers. Whelen is the only U.S. manufacturer of emergency warning equipment to still manufacture its products entirely in the United States. Supporting our national economy in such a manner is just one of the many reasons why CHIEF feels Whelen Engineering Company is special enough to stand beside our good name.

For the best selection of Whelen Engineering, look to CHIEF – your Whelen Engineering authority.

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