Since 1952, Whelen Engineering has been a cornerstone of American manufacturing, producing high-quality emergency warning equipment for first responders across the country and around the globe. At the heart of this legacy are the more than1,900dedicated employees who bring the company’s “Build It Right” philosophy to life every day. From the design studio to the factory floor, every part, assembly, and system is created with precision, pride, and a deep sense of responsibility.
The People Behind the Products
Whelen’s workforce spans a wide array of departments and specialties. In the molding division, operators like Mariann Hosley ensure that every silicone part meets strict quality standards: “Every day I leave here knowing that I did a good job,” she says, reflecting the pride shared across Whelen’s teams. In final assembly, employees like Sheila Lescord perform the last critical checks before products leave the facility, ensuring that every light and siren is fully operational and safe for field use.
Even the smallest details matter. Lightbar assembler Maryse Starrett checks harnesses, gaskets, and doming seals meticulously: “You check and double check and triple check just to make sure you haven’t missed anything,” she explains. Similarly, in hot melt assembly, Ashley Kinson emphasizes the importance of doing everything right the first time: “Once it’s built, it’s built-and it needs to be proper.”
Engineering Excellence
Supporting these processes is the industry’s largest engineering and design team. Electrical engineer David Smart describes his role in ensuring quality from the ground up: “I help with their test fixtures. If I see a better way we can do it, or if somebody’s struggling, I want to know about it so I can help them help the company.”Scott Chase, an SMT float staffer, highlights the meticulous setup of machines and production lines to prevent errors and ensure reliable output: “When they come out at the end of the line, it’s a quality product that doesn’t have errors - it doesn’t fail in the field. Making the effort to do the best job I can means we turn out the best product we can sell.”
From engineering to assembly, every employee understands the impact of their work. When we build it right, we’re not just creating a product - we’re helping protect our communities.
A Culture of Quality
Whelen’s vertical integration allows employees to manage every step of production in-house, from concept to finished product. This approach ensures rigorous quality control and reduces the risk of errors. Employees across departments apply the “Build It Right” mentality to:
- Molding and subassembly of precise parts
- Electrical and mechanical assembly of lightbars, sirens, and emergency equipment
- Sheet metal fabrication and press brake operations
- Cabling, harness assembly, and wiring
- Hot melt assembly and lens installation
- Final assembly and testing, including vacuum and light tests
- Inventory management, production planning, and logistical coordination
- Engineering, prototyping, and test fixture development
From operators inspecting every component to engineers designing test fixtures, every stage of production reinforces the commitment to excellence. Eric Beach, an assembly associate, captures the ethos succinctly: “Build it right means that you build something that you’re proud of… for the people out there serving us every day.”
Protecting Those Who Protect Us
Above all, Whelen employees recognize that their work directly impacts the safety of first responders. Jacqueline Healy in molding says, “We want to make sure our products are good for the first responders so they can come help you(the public).”Subassembly lead Amy Gersberg echoes the sentiment: “Our goal is to send out a product that is meant to save somebody’s life… those first responders are always the first thing in our head.”
This shared commitment unites Whelen employees across roles, departments, and facilities. It is a culture built on decades of American manufacturing excellence, rigorous quality standards, and the understanding that every product matters-because lives depend on it.
Built Right, Every Day, for Every First Responder
For over 70 years, Whelen Engineering has combined American manufacturing, vertical integration, and a workforce of passionate professionals to deliver products that our customers - firefighters, police officers, ambulance drivers, DOT teams, and more-can always trust. Every day, 1,900+ employees live the “Build It Right” promise, ensuring that every light, siren, and emergency system performs flawlessly-and helps keep communities safe.
Why Choose Whelen?
Click HERE to learn more about how our “Build It Right” philosophy, commitment to American manufacturing, and industry-leading engineering make us the trusted choice for first responders.