Three generations of entrepreneurial spirit
We take great pride in the fact that we have achieved over 80 years of manufacturing excellence while spanning three generations of family ownership. It is a testament to the passion and drive we have for consistent, long-term success.
A culture of excellence since 1945
From the beginning, Oakwood Group has taken calculated risks to expand our companies. Since Francois Audi founded the company in 1945 to supply water pumps to Ford Motor Company’s Tractor Division, our success has been rooted in pushing technology to do more - and in our relentless drive to be the best. Over the years, concentrating on the unmet needs of our customer base has led to many advanced products manufactured with greater quality, improved performance and lower costs. Our culture of excellence and team-wide entrepreneurial spirit has helped position us as the most valuable partner in our product categories.
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• Oakwood Industries was formed at 1100 Oakwood Boulevard in Dearborn, Michigan with Francois Audi as Principal Owner.
• The first products supplied were water pumps used in production of tractors at Ford Motor Company. -
• The company name changed to Oakwood Metal Fabricating and became an automotive supplier to Ford Motor Company through the purchase of specialized four-slide and stamping machinery.
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• Dick Audi (second generation) joins the company. At that time, sales were $375k with 18 employees.
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• The company enjoyed a period of consistent growth, facilitating the need to hire more managers to help run the company.
• Dick Audi becomes President. -
• Rapid expansion occurs with growth in existing metal product supply with addition of automatic presses and roll forming machines.
• Oakwood Group enters the metal speaker grille market as tier-two supplier on the initial Ford Taurus and Sable programs.
• After three years, Oakwood Group becomes the dominant metal grille supplier to tier-one interior companies.
• Rapid expansion of technology, machinery, and talent allows Oakwood Group to become the market leader in decorative metal audio covers. -
• Third generation owners (Richard and J.B. Audi) join the company full-time.
• Company revenue in 1990 reaches $32 million.
• Continued growth, core management team formation, and the development of intellectual property result in Oakwood Group becoming the global leader in metal audio cover production. -
• Oakwood Group invents its SafetyPlastic® product to meet the need for effective, low-cost impact absorbers satisfying the new federal safety standard for head impact protection.
• Oakwood Energy Management becomes the number one supplier of impact absorbing technology in headliner and side-impact components, replacing most foam and injection molded applications.
• New state-of-the-art manufacturing center is built in Taylor, Michigan. -
• Oakwood Japan, Oakwood China and Oakwood South Korea established to support global platform interest in SafetyPlastic product.
• Oakwood E-Lan Automotive Components established near Shanghai. -
• Oakwood industrial design, unmatched customer support and quality fuel growth and sustained market leadership.
• Plant 1 facility undergoes large expansion.
Let’s move forward
Oakwood Group remains committed to putting our partners’ needs first through unrelenting innovation, process maximization and a willingness to take risks. Connect with us to learn how we can help move your business forward.
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