About Winzeler Gear

A History of Pride

In 1908, a young tool and die maker named John Winzeler founded the Winzeler Metal Stamping Company in Chicago. Business flourished for 20 years until the Depression forced the company to close its doors in the 1930s. The economy improved, and in 1940 John's son Harold founded Winzeler Manufacturing and together they grew the company to become one of the leading producers of stamped metal gears for the radio, appliance and toy industries. Sensing that alternative materials would eventually replace stamped metal, Harold began developing plastic molding parts as a way to ensure he company's future. Harold's visionary thinking over 40 years ago started a new phase in the company. Today, Winzeler Gear produces precision gears molded from the finest, newest plastics available in the industry. Now headed by grandson John Winzeler, the company continues to take advantage of new technologies, processes and materials.

Building for the Future

Our most recent accomplishment is a 20,000 square foot addition to our Chicago headquarters, significantly expanding our production capabilities for new opportunities with our strategic business partners - customers like you. Designed for efficiency and speed, it features contemporary molding machinery and next generation automation equipment organized into production cells. There's also room for growth, with sufficient space for 20 additional electric Engel molding presses.

Ten years ago, Winzeler needed 50 employees to produce 2,000,000 gears per month. Today, we can produce 12,000,000 gears with only 35 employees, an accomplishment achieved through our unique blending of "manufacturing art" with the power of strategic partnerships. This company-wide philosophy, combining streamlined manufacturing processes, creative thinking and strong relationships between our company, customers, and suppliers, is immediately evident when you are greeted by Winzeler's gear fashion art in the front lobby.

We invite you to visit our new, state-of-the-art facility in person.