On October 18, 2012, VIBCO Vibrators marks the 50th anniversary of its existence, which began when company founder Theodore Wadensten successfully manufactured and marketed his revolutionary Silent Pneumatic Turbine Vibrator design.
Wyoming, RI October 18, 2012 – VIBCO Vibrators, the leading manufacturer of industrial and concrete vibrators, air cannons, vibrating tables and plate compactors and vibratory rollers, is celebrating 50 years of innovation, service and quality Made in the USA vibrators.
VIBCO employees will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the company’s incorporation with a fun-filled luncheon on October 18 at 11:30am at the VIBCO factory at
75 Stilson Road in Wyoming, RI.
VIBCO was founded in a Sparta, NJ chicken coop in 1962 by Theodore Wadensten, an immigrant from Sweden. Mr. Wadensten had immigrated to the United States as a sales engineer for a European vibrator manufacturer. Shortly after arriving in the United States, Wadensten recognized that the american market needed a no-maintenance vibrator with greater durability for rough applications. His attempts to communicate his design ideas back to his European employer fell on deaf ears so Wadensten embraced the American entrepreneurial spirit and set out on his own.
Theodore Wadensten perfected his revolutionary idea for a Silent Pneumatic Turbine Vibrator and took his product to market. The new vibrator was quiet, required little or no maintenance, and stood up to the rigors of heavy use. As a result, sales took off and Wadensten quickly had to move his operations from his chicken coop in Sparta to a larger manufacturing space in Lodi, NJ.
Theodore Wadensten was awarded a United States patent in 1972 for his pneumatic turbine vibrator design and began searching the northeast for a permanent manufacturing location for VIBCO. Wadensten ultimately chose Wyoming, RI and permanently moved all manufacturing operations to Rhode Island in the Fall of 1974.
“My dad started this company with a great idea and a few thousand dollars he’d borrowed from a family member. He didn’t listen to the naysayers, critics and cynics. He just believed in his idea and made it happen. That can-do spirit is an important part of VIBCO’s culture to this day, “ says current VIBCO President, Karl Wadensten.
Theodore Wadensten semi-retired in 1995 and his son, Karl Wadensten, assumed responsibility for VIBCO’s operations. Since his retirement, Theodore Wadensten has continued inventing and advising VIBCO’s engineers. He has applied for and received 9 additional patents post-retirement, the latest in 2008 for a new approach to vibrators for railroad cars, currently marketed as the VIBCO RailBoss™.
Current VIBCO President, Karl Wadensten, is a man on a mission to preserve and grow his father’s legacy by passionately leading VIBCO Vibrators toward operational and cultural excellence. Under Karl’s leadership, VIBCO has quadrupled its annual sales and has successfully implemented Lean methodologies based on the Toyota Production System.
VIBCO’s organizational culture and operator-led continuous improvement program is world-renowned and featured in countless articles, books, blogs and other publications including a Harvard Business case. VIBCO regularly hosts plant tours to share energy and inspiratoin with other improvement-minded organizations. To date, VIBCO has hosted more than 5000 employees from over 600 organizations including service, manufacturing, education and government.
The whole VIBCO team is committed to growing the company by gaining global market share and enhancing VIBCO’s position as the vibrator brand of choice. VIBCO’s responsiveness to customer needs and operational excellence allows the company to remain cost competitive while providing an unsurpassed level of American-made quality products and customer service. From same-day shipping, to rapid fulfillment of custom orders, to the development of innovative strategic partnerships throughout its entire supply chain and value stream, VIBCO is – and will continue to be – the The Expert Vibrator Guys.™
About VIBCO Vibrators
Founded in 1962, VIBCO Vibrators designs, manufacturers and markets a comprehensive range of electric, pneumatic and hydraulic vibrators for construction and industrial use including standard and custom vibrating tables. VIBCO Vibrators also designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of vibratory plate compactors and rollers. All standard VIBCO products are available from stock same or next day and the company is committed to quality, throughput, innovation and 100% employee engagement. VIBCO Vibrators is headquartered in Wyoming, RI, USA.
Phone: 401-539-2392
Email: vibrators@vibco.com
Web: www.vibco.com
VIBCO, We’re the Expert Vibrator Guys.TM