Wilden Pump & Engineering Co. - Manufacturer of air-operated double-diaphragm pumps.

DREAMER, INNOVATOR, MARKET LEADER

Jim Wilden pioneered a revolution, inspired a generation of innovation and created an entire industry. Wilden Pump & Engineering Company was founded in 1955 on the sketches of a unique but reliable, utilitarian pump, the air operated double-diaphragm pump. Today Corporate ownership and "stand alone" local management provide Wilden with the clarity and focus needed to produce quality products Wilden products are engineered to meet today's industrial and commercial demands.

Wilden's commitment to the customer is undoubtedly the reason why we are the market leaders in our industry. We listen to the comments of engineers, maintenance personnel, and end-users to develop general and specialized products to meet your needs. Wilden is constantly in the pursuit of excellence, always innovating and designing new products.

Wilden, The Power behind Your Process

OUR HISTORY

SINCE 1955

Conceived out of necessity, born in arms of innovation and inspired by sheer will and determination, Wilden Pump and Engineering was born in a walnut grove of San Bernardino County California.

The epiphany began with a large water pipe that had ruptured several feet below ground, flooding a shop at a steel factory. Amid the bedlam, a cool-headed forman surveyed the inundated workshop and drenched workmen and yelled out to Slim, Jim's nickname "Hey Slim, You would make a million dollars if you could invent a pump to get this stuff out of here". And thus history was set in motion, changing the landscape of industrial and commercial processes forever.

Jim Wilden Invented the Air Operated Double Diaphragm Pump, based on the need to pump water, slurry and or any finely divided substance such as cement, and create a pump tough enough to handle the job. Through perseverance and sheer will, Jim finally developed a pump that had the right air valve and diaphragms needed to meet the stringent demands of the mining and heavy construction industries. After years of trial and error Jim Wilden began manufacturing and selling M16 & M14 Air Operated Double Diaphragm Pumps.

The 60's

Jim Wilden began to refine his manufacturing processes and eventually hired on a salesman to sell Wilden Pumps. The decision to hire on a sales staff allowed Jim to focus on his strengths; engineering, design and production. By 1964, the air valve, which once took 6 hours to produce, could now be made in 60 minutes and the production of the entire pump, once a 40-hour project, was reduced to less than 4 hours. These manufacturing improvements and hydraulic fluid efficiencies found in his pumps allowed Wilden to innovate and develop new products such as the M8, which is the basis for the current model available today. As the company's success and growth continued, the old metal building in the walnut grove proved inadequate so a new 10,000 square foot building was constructed to house the operations of Wilden Pump & Engineering

The 70's

The 70's were a time of political and economic turmoil that would test the values of Jim Wilden. During the 1974 recession when the U.S. experienced its worst economic crisis since the depression of the 1930's, Jim Wilden was faced with lean economic times and tough decisions. As the country was implementing mass layoffs, Jim Wilden's main concern was for the welfare of Wilden employees and ultimately decided against any layoffs. Jim Wilden creatively reallocated resources and used the workforce to make internal improvements such as refurbishing and repainting the Wilden plant. As the U.S. slowly crawled out of the recession, Wilden began to expand its operations, and product lines improving business and adding to the legend of Jim Wilden.

The 80's & 90's

The 80's and 90's saw unprecedented growth in many areas, Wilden began expanding its operations globally, practicing lean manufacturing principles and introducing new air systems to extend their lead in the Air Operated Double Diaphragm Pump market. Wilden established a global distribution network that spans over 160 countries with over 180 distributors worldwide. Sadly, Jim Wilden passed away in 1989 right before he could see the full stride of the new product lines take hold in the chemical, sanitary and pharmaceuticals industries. Wilden continues the tradition of innovation, and product development to lead markets into areas never thought possible.

2000 & Beyond

The new millennium promises to be just as innovative and productive as the last decades have shown. Wilden is deeply committed to the pursuit of excellence, customer satisfaction, research & development and market knowledge. With distinctive products, innovative solutions, and the same determination that Jim Wilden has shown, Wilden promises to keep the spirit and the culture that Jim Wilden has left behind. We look forward to being part of your pumping application when selecting a trustworthy solution.

Wilden, The Power Behind Your Process