Company History

Helwig Carbon Products, Inc. was founded by Walter O. Helwig with some initial investment from his wife, Adela, to serve the carbon brush market with quality products and competitive pricing. A man of uncompromising standards and earnest ideals, Helwig conducted business practices under the motto, “The customer is the boss.” Due to Helwig’s rapport with the Wisconsin Electric Power Company, he quickly developed a loyal customer base in the Midwest.

Transert brushes were developed. Transert brushes include inserts of different material to optimize life and performance under challenging conditions.

Multiflex and Trifex brushes were developed. They are formed by assembling two or more carbon sections into one unit, improving commutation through better electrical and mechanical contact.

The business was growing which necessitated moving to a larger building on North 30th St.

Silver Coated Copper Tamping Powder was developed for tamped connections with lower resistance and less oxidation.

Business expanded nationwide with the hiring of local representatives and establishment of distributor relationships in Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake, and Portland.

The Red Top Pad was developed to increase the life of carbon brushes, springs, and commutators by absorbing excess vibration, insulating the spring/spring finger, and holding sections together for easy installation.

The Helwig Quick Disconnect (HQD) Terminal and Mounting System was developed. Very low resistance, high capacity, safe, and secure connections featuring a tight, positive locking action, HQDs are a faster, easier, safer way to change brushes with no screws to remove, lose, or replace.

John Koenitzer devised a part number system that supported the identification and computerization of the order entry process, and Helwig Carbon started to manufacture brush holders.

Graphite Tamping Powder was developed for consistent, low resistance wire connections that function under stress and varying load conditions.

The Wear Indicator was developed. The Wear Indicator has a red caution strip that informs the user when the brush is worn out and should be replaced. It clearly shows how much wear is left while the machine is still running.

Helwig’s Spring Pressure recommendations changed the industry. Helwig published its research and technical report showing that higher contact force for sliding electrical contacts leads to significant increases in brush life and performance.

In October of 1985, Walter Helwig, a great entrepreneur and benefactor, passed away at the age of 85. In the office two days prior to his death, Helwig continued his commitment to providing quality products and service to his customers. In February of the same year, Adela also passed away and settling the estate became a priority for Helwig Carbon.

Helwig moved to a new 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on Milwaukee’s Northwest side.

Helwig adopted a new brush fabrication alternative. Customers looking for economical alternatives to their high-volume requirements could now obtain brushes pressed-to-size.

Helwig built a 30,000-square-foot addition to their current facility to accommodate their growing brush holder and pressed-to-size business. Along with the addition, Helwig built a state-of-the-art training room to further employee development and satisfaction.

Due to strong demand from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), a motor test lab and R&D lab were added, allowing for onsite development and testing of materials.

Helwig Carbon secured its long-term supply of carbon brush plate material through the acquisition of the electrical carbon business of SGL Carbon (aka Speer Carbon) in St. Mary’s, PA. This strategic acquisition has helped to make Helwig Carbon a fully integrated electrical carbon manufacturer and a world leader in electrical carbon research and technology.

Helwig Carbon continued its commitment to employees and customers by becoming a partially employee-owned company

The BPK-SB™ and BPK-S™ were introduced to protect electrical equipment from damaging electrical discharge that can cause bearing failure.

The BPK-Probe™ was designed to measure voltage on a motor shaft and determine the risk of damaging electrical discharge.