Warn Industries, headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon, was founded in 1948 when Arthur Warn invented the world’s first four-wheel-drive locking hub in the back of his Willy’s Jeep dealership. His invention converted World War II surplus Jeeps into useful, on-road vehicles and created an entirely new market. When a small ad for his hubs in the back of Popular Mechanics proved successful, a family business was born.

The company diversified its product line in 1959 with the introduction of the first automotive electric winch, a category it still leads today. Other products such as axles, mounting systems, lights, and bumpers followed in the coming years and propelled Warn Industries to become the world’s most recognized consumer brand of off-road products and accessories, with customers in 65 countries on five continents.
Over the years, Warn Industries has been issued more than 100 patents for its product innovations and holds valuable intellectual property that makes it an unchallenged leader in torque transfer technology.

In the early 1980s, Mike Warn became the third generation in his family to head the company. In February 2000, Warn Industries transitioned from a family-run business to a new era of leadership when Mike sold the company to a management team.
Three years after the initial sale, the management team was in search of a new owner to provide a stable foundation for additional growth. Management was looking for a buyer that could provide that foundation while giving the team freedom to maintain its current operating structure. Within a few months, Dover came into the picture, and Warn joined Dover Resources as a stand-alone company in October 2003.

Thanks to the acquisition by Dover, Warn Industries is projecting steady growth well into the future.

The company is focusing its efforts on key strategies that will guide the actions of its five divisions:

• Move Closer to the Customer

• Leadership Development and Recruitment

• Develop China and India Markets

• The recurring revenue generated from its large installed base; and

• Add a New Market Segment/ Strategic Acquisitions

“With the financial backing of Dover, we are looking at long-term growth in both domestic and international markets,” said CEO Tom Giacomini. “Dover’s backing also allows Warn Industries to seriously seek strategic acquisitions that will complement our existing business.”

In addition to the financial resources, Giacomini is appreciative of the support available from leaders at fellow Dover companies.

“Presidents of Dover companies are accessible when we need guidance in unfamiliar areas, like reaching new international markets,” he indicated. “There’s a tremendous amount of cooperation among the group that is invaluable. That type of assistance is rarely available to companies our size.

“Dover was an attractive buyer because they allowed us to pursue our planned course without intervention or changes to our management and corporate culture,” said Giacomini.

“We felt comfortable because Dover invests in companies for the long term. That is very important for the stability of our company, our customers, and our employees.”

The Dover transaction brought a new infusion of capital into Warn Industries, allowing the company to pursue commercialization of its proprietary wheel-end technology with OEMs, continued rapid expansion of its strong Powersports business, and support for marketing its leading
core products.

“The purchase by Dover afforded us the financial stability we needed to develop products and expand our capability as a worldwide manufacturing company. Dover only acquires companies that are number one in their respective markets, so it understands what it takes to be a leader.”

In 2005, Giacomini was promoted to president and CEO of Warn Industries. In the past few years, Warn has enjoyed significant growth and has added capacity by opening a maquiladora production facility in Saltillo, Mexico; a sales office in the Netherlands; a sourcing and sales office in Shanghai; a distribution facility in Clackamas, Oregon; and a distribution center in Gahanna, Ohio.

Today, Warn Industries is a leading manufacturing company with five operating divisions:

Powertrain Division
The Powertrain Division is a certified Tier 1 supplier to worldwide auto manufacturers and holds a significant portion of the wheel-end disconnect market. A large number of four-wheel-drive vehicle manufacturers in the world have specified Warn Industries’ drive train components. Warn Industries reached rare status among top OEM manufacturers by achieving ISO 9001 certification in 1995, QS9000 certification in 1999, and ISO/TS 16949 certification in 2004.

Truck Division
The Truck Division targets the automotive aftermarket with its recognized and respected WARN brand through an established wholesale distributor and dealer network. Four-wheel-drive owners and off-road enthusiasts outfit their vehicles with the company’s winches, locking hubs, mounting systems, and accessories. In less than four years, Dover has invested over $5 million in capital improvements and product development that have helped the Truck Division bring category-leading new products to the market.

Powersports Division
The Powersports Division concentrates on the rapidly growing all-terrain vehicle market (ATVs and UTVs), which has exploded in popularity in recent years. Warn Industries created the ATV winch accessory market by introducing the industry’s first ATV winch, and currently holds a number of patents for its winch line. Today, the division has established relationships with OEMs such as Yamaha, Honda, and Polaris. Enthusiasts also purchase ATV accessories such as winch mounting systems, bumpers, lights, and plows.

Industrial Division
The Industrial Division markets winches and hoists to the military, towing, fire and rescue, and severe duty customers around the world. Its electric, self-recovery winch and hoist technology offers tremendous value versus the traditional hydraulic solution, providing a uniquely competitive position. As its military business expands, Dover is committed to funding the development and production projects necessary for Warn to expand into this new and growing market.

The WARN Works® Division
The WARN Works® Division develops and markets pulling and lifting tools for use by contractors and DIY (do it yourself) consumers. The Works line is marketed by retailers around the world, including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Fastenal, and other leading hardware and MRO companies.