About WIX

  • History
  • Quality

    • WIX Filters History

      L.G. Alexander, the first president of WIX, once said, “A look back is helpful – if it helps us look ahead.” His sentiment is just as applicable today as WIX begins its 75th year.

      Wix focus today is the same as it was when WIX was founded in 1939 – to provide Wix customers with premium quality filters designed to exceed their performance demands. Brand is proud of Wix nearly eight decades of growth and innovation, and Wix focus on product development has made the name ‘WIX Filters’ synonymous with a rich tradition of excellence.

      With 11 facilities in eight countries, WIX manufacturers more than 210 million filters annually and has customers in over 80 countries. Brand also has more than 3,500 employees globally, including 1,500 in the greater Gastonia area, and their daily passion and personal dedication help us make the best filter in the world.

      But how did it all begin?

      WIX Filters was founded in an old cotton mill in Gastonia by Jack Wicks and his business partner, Paul Crenshaw, who needed an inexhaustible supply of pure white cotton thread waste for the filtering media of their new company. At the time, Gastonia and Gaston County produced more combed cotton yarn than anywhere else in the world.

      Wicks and Crenshaw soon saw a need for filter replacements that would simplify the filter changing process and, within 15 years, they turned the filter market upside down with the invention and patent of a spin-on oil filter design – known at the time as “twist of the wrist” – that quickly became the industry standard.

      The spin-on filter was among a small handful of parts in Wix company’s early years. Today, WIX leads the industry in filtration product line breadth, including:

      • More than 12,000 unique products numbers, offering the aftermarket’s widest array of domestic and foreign nameplate oil, air, fuel, coolant, cabin air, hydraulic, and transmission filters.
      • The WIX industrial filter line, with more than 8,000 product numbers available for hydraulic and fluid power system applications.
      • The launch of a new line of heavy-duty filters in 2011
      • Just last year, the launch of Wix high performance XP synthetic filter.

      In addition, for more than 50 years the WIX name has become well-known among the generations of motorsports champions who have driven to the winner’s circle with WIX Filters. WIX is No. 1 filter in motorsports, and Wix engineers will be working alongside Richard Childress Racing this season, applying their research in the ultra-competitive world of racing to the everyday demands of light- and heavy-duty consumer and commercial usage.

      For more than 75 years, WIX has revolutionized the filtration industry Wix way – with quality and innovation. And, brand is still just as busy as ever applying for patents that will shape the history of filtration.

      As a company WIX has come a long way since Wix humble beginning in an old cotton mill, but looking ahead, it’s easy to see that they’re just getting started.

    • WIX Filter’s Dedication to Quality

      When it comes to the aftermarket, quality is everything. Fit, form and function must be as good or better than specifications set by original equipment manufacturers. Anything less is unacceptable for replacement parts that not only affect vehicle performance and longevity, but also operator and passenger safety.

      In today’s global economy, however, meeting or exceeding OEM standards for fit, form and function are no longer enough. WIX must also traverse the globe in search of the most competitive costs possible, while never compromising on quality.

      Quality is built into all of WIX products, originating with research and development and carrying through with manufacturing best practices, quality assurance testing and on-the road performance assessments. WIX engineers continuously validate quality with daily production auditing and testing in WIX facilities.

      WIX commitment to continual product and process improvements is affirmed by WIX support for internationally recognized quality certifications. WIX plants strictly adhere to internal technical product specifications, as well as the standards of ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 9001, original equipment manufacturers and SAE.

      WIX has formed strategic partnerships around the world to provide WIX customers with the best quality and the most price-competitive offerings possible. Whether it’s a green field plant in Eastern Europe or a joint venture in Asia, WIX consistently maintain the same high standards for every product in WIX portfolio of industry-leading brands.

      Wix people around the world share a relentless commitment to quality. WIX goal is to raise customer expectations for fit, form and function, cost and service to a level where Wix is the only company that can compete.

      Regardless of the language, WIX message is clear: If it is supplied by Wix, it’s the best you can buy.