SEI Components Inc, the predecessor to DNA Group was incorporated in 1987. SEI developed sources in Asia for electronic and electro-mechanical components with an emphasis on switch products and specific markets: appliances, power tools and consumer products.
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| 1989 | Group Defond, one of SEI’s key suppliers recognized the strategic and investment value of a long-term relationship with SEI, both as a supplier and a partner. Defond North America Inc. was created by merging the interests of SEI and Defond into a 50/50 joint venture with shared equity and a single clear mission: serve the NAFTA OEM marketplace for appliances, power tools and electronics by building long-term relationships with customers. |
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| 1991 | Defond North America pioneered the U.S. introduction of Group Defond’s patented ALCI shock protection devices into the personal care market. Portable and in-line GFCIs for world wide applications have since been developed by Defond for construction, DIY, pressure washers, pool and spa and vending markets. |
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| 1993 | During the 1990’s Defond and DNA Group created a joint venture with SIBER Group (IT) for production and marketing of SIBER products in North America and Asia. Heating elements, bi-metal thermostats, and switches were among the products supported in these markets. Defond North America changed its name to DNA Group, Inc to better reflect its broad range of product offerings and brand names. During this period DNA expanded with sales offices in Cleveland and Chicago. |
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| 1997 | DNA was named the Supplier of the Year for 1997 DNA was named as the 1997 Supplier of the Year by Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex at its annual Suppliers Appreciation Dinner in Richmond, Virginia. DNA's President Eric Vaughn accepted the award from Clarke Leslie, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Dick Zano, Vice President of Purchasing. |
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| 1999 | DNA named Whirlpool Small Appliance Business Unit’s Supplier of the Year DNA was named as KitchenAid Greenville Division's 1999 Supplier of the Year during their second annual Supplier Recognition banquet on April 27, 2000. Accepting the award was Eric Vaughn, President of DNA Group, Bill Romick, DNA Regional Sales Manager, and Douglas Carey, Allied Enterprises Representative. |
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| 2000 | Defond and DNA began a period of significant expansion of product lines through internal development and acquisition. Defond:
- Recognized as world’s largest supplier of switches for the power tool industry.
- Acquired European operation for production of automotive switches.
- Acquired European producer of valves and solenoids.
- Created dedicated resources for Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) to serve growing demand for integrated electronic and electro-mechanical sub-assemblies.
DNA:
- Developed proprietary designs for definite purpose contactors for the HVAC market; introduced heavy-duty rocker switches for marine and transportation markets.
- Acquired product lines for mechanical humidistats and appliance switches.
DNA named Whirlpool Small Appliance Business Unit’s Supplier of the Year for the second year in a row. Whirlpool's Small Appliance Business Unit, headquartered in Greenville, OH and home of KitchenAid's countertop appliances, held their third annual Supplier Recognition banquet on April 2, 2000. For the second year in a row Whirlpool SABU presented their top award, "Supplier of the Year", to DNA Group, Inc. The criteria in selecting the recipient were Quality, Cost Reduction, Delivery, Early Supplier Involvement, Working Capital Improvement, and Innovation. "For a supplier to be considered for a second year nomination, they would have to prove to be an exceptional supplier. We did not want to award the same supplier two years in a row, but DNA Group truly deserved the award" stated Stan Kinnett, General Manager of KitchenAid, who co-presented the award along with Jack Smith, Manager of Supplier Development. Accepting the award was Eric Vaughn, DNA President, Bill Romick, DNA National Accounts Manager, and Alfred Wong, Defond HK. DNA Group and Defond provide switches and electronic controls to many of the Whirlpool divisions. There were more than 50 vendors present at the awards banquet. |
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| 2001 | Digital Switching Systems was created to manage core multiplex power distribution technology. Assets acquired from Grayhill Corporation. DNA received the Supplier of the Year award from Toro Purchasing Company On May 1, 2001 Toro Purchasing Company, El Paso, TX, recognized DNA Group, Inc. as 2001 "Supplier of the Year". This award recognized DNA for their dedication and outstanding customer service. Julie Montano, Buyer for Toro's El Paso facility and a member of the National Association of Purchasing Managers, states "The effort and hard work put forth by the DNA Group, in particular Gwen Bridgham, (DNA Regional Sales Coordinator), and Howard Schafer (DNA Sales Rep for El Paso area) has paid off". This year Julie nominated DNA for the award and considers it a privilege to acknowledge worthy suppliers for the Supplier of the Year award. DNA Group supplies switch and wire harness assemblies to Toro, but this award wasa direct result of the effort put into a 2-speed rotary switch and harness assembly for a Toro Blower project. |
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| 2003 | DNA received Top Supplier Performance award from Whirlpool Corporation. On April 30, 2004, DNA Group, Inc. received a 2003 Supplier Performance Award from Whirlpool Corporation. Only the top 4% of Whirlpool's suppliers received this award for 2003. The suppliers were recognized because of the quality of their goods, productivity, and material management. To accept the award on behalf of DNA Group, Inc., Bill Romick and Judi Chovan attended the annual Whirlpool Supplier Performance Banquet held at Lake Michigan College's Mendel Center in Benton Harbor. In addition to the actual award, Whirlpool placed a full-page advertisement announcing Whirlpool's 2003 Supplier Performance Award winners in the Business section of USA Today's May 4th newspaper. "To be recognized by any customer as one of its top suppliers is always gratifying, and to be selected by a customer who demands on-going excellence, as does Whirlpool, is truly outstanding", Eric Vaughn, President of DNA Group, Inc. DNA Group, Inc. would like to thank its staff, the sales representatives that support the Whirlpool account (Allied Enterprises; Rep, Inc.; Romax Electronics, Ltd.), and the factory for their contribution to this great achievement. |
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| 2005 | DNA reorganized its operations to conduct business under three separate companies: Defond North America, LLC, Digital Switching Systems, LLC and Sygnal Technologies, LLC. DNA added a company owned distribution and value-added center in Raleigh, NC to its existing third-party logistic operations in Laredo, TX and Jackson, MS. |
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| 2008 | DNA added a sales office in Littleton (Denver), Colorado. DNA and Defond restructured ownership and organization for more flexibility and responsiveness to North American market. |
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| 2009 | DSS created omni-BUS™ platform for open source control of power distribution centers. DNA Resource LLC created as a separate division to focus on demand-driven sourced components. Read More DNA and Defond celebrated their 20 year partnership. DSS introduced PowerKey Pro series of addressable and configurable CAN-based keypads. |
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| Today | DNA continues its focus of providing innovative “Integrated Solutions” to OEMs with resources provided internally and by its partner suppliers. |