Wesbar

Our company's roots go back to 1934 when C.I. Nielsen Sr. moved his fledgling company from the city West Bend to the village of Barton. With this new start, he believed we should have a new name, and thus Wesbar was coined. The first products were spun steel and aluminum hub caps for various automobiles of the day. It was his love for fishing, however, that drew our company to the marine market. Nothing was better than a long cane pole for fishing back then, but then came the problem of how it take your pole with you when you went by auto to your favorite fishing hole. Thus he came up with the original cartop carrier. A small u-formed bracket, mounted to the car's top with two vacuum cups, and a webbed belt with a buckle to hold the pole in place. It was simple, reliable, and made many fishermen very happy. This led to a wide variety of cartop carrier's, all known for their durability and thus they took on the brand name, "Sturdi-Rack". The best sellers were the line of boat carriers, and they were carried by major retailers, automotive supply houses and rental shops.

In 1960, C.I. Nielsen Jr. took over the company and greatly expanded the company's offerings to the marine market. Ski tow bars, outboard motor portagers, boat loading rollers, and gas tank caddies were among the best sellers for the company. Following his death in 1965, Bernard Weber signed on to run the company. In 1967, the advent of the cordova top for cars emerged and this led to the elimination of the car's eave rails . . . the anchoring point for Wesbar's cartop carriers. Bernie Weber had been with Fulton Mfg. in Milwaukee, and thus was well aware of the growth of the boat trailer industry. It was a natural for us. We helped transport boats, so se decided to follow the boat from the top of the car to the back of the car. But "How"? 1968 was key because new federal safety legislation had just been passed. It required specific lighting on all trailers that use publically funded roads. It also called out SAE standards for wiring harnesses, including a universal color code for cars, trucks and trailers. Before this, each manufacturer could use their own code, but with the public safety in mind, the new regulations would make this all uniform.

Wesbar had always been innovative, and know for product performance you can count on. As the company moved into the manufacture of wiring harnesses and then running lamps, this trademark of quality and reliability was maintained. Success came fast. And as the market's needs changed, so did the company's product line. Today the product line offers a wide variety of shapes to fit specific trailer applications and in standard, submersible and waterproof versions to meet the users' needs. Wesbar prides itself, both then and now, as a company that looks to solve it's customers' and the trailer owners' problems with products and services. And this is why today, you'll see Wesbar lighting and wiring used by most leading boat, snowmobile, cargo, utility and horse trailer manufacturers. These trailer manufacturers select Wesbar products because they believe their customers expect and deserve them.

Where does this story from here? In 2000, Wesbar joined a family of companies focused on serving trailer builders by developing even more products aimed at making trailering safer, easier and more fun for the trailer owner. The new company name is Cequent (A TriMas Company).

The above information has been provided by the Manufacturer, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy thereof or endorse the opinions expressed.