On a recent episode of the Manufacturing Executive podcast, White recounted how Hellwig has navigated everything from the COVID-19 pandemic to tariff-fueled price hikes – all while staying true to its roots as a leading manufacturer of springs and suspension products for the automotive aftermarket.
White traced the company’s origins back to her great grandfather, who started manufacturing springs at night and selling them door-to-door on weekends. Over the decades, Hellwig gradually expanded its offerings and distribution channels, building a strong brand in the aftermarket while also supplying OE customers and private label partners.
But nothing could have prepared the company for the disruptions of the past few years. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, White and her team faced immediate uncertainty about whether they could continue operating as an essential business. They quickly implemented separate shifts to minimize contact among workers, only to see demand plummet and then surge to unprecedented levels.
It just made it really feel like we were playing whack-a-mole the whole time during that time. And then the workforce also – there were a lot of people that just wanted to stay at home, they were getting paid to stay at home. And so then it became less attractive to work in a manufacturing facility.
Now, as the industry grapples with the fallout of new tariffs on steel and other raw materials, Hellwig is once again being forced to adapt. White said the company has seen steel prices jump by as much as 35%, putting pressure on margins and forcing difficult conversations with customers about price increases.
“Our customers – it’s hard for them. They create a catalog, especially on our branded side, they’re printing marketing materials, they have a sales program. So to hit them with more than one price increase is really hard to do,” she explained. “I don’t want to go too high, so it’s really tricky. It’s trying to look into that crystal ball.”
Despite the headwinds, White remains optimistic about the future of the automotive aftermarket – and Hellwig’s place in it. As an active member of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), she has a front-row seat to the trends shaping the industry, from the need for more technical talent to the shift toward electric and hybrid vehicles.
White also emphasized the importance of continuous evolution and adaptability for manufacturers looking to thrive in the long run. Her advice? Be willing to make decisions even without perfect information, and leverage generational transitions as an opportunity to bring new energy and perspectives to the business.
With White at the helm, Hellwig Products seems well-positioned to keep rolling with the punches – just as it has for the past eight decades. To learn more about the company and connect with White, visit helwigproducts.com or find her on LinkedIn.
And for more insights from manufacturing leaders like Melanie White, be sure to check out the Manufacturing Executive podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
