In the year 1928, a remarkable leap year, the world witnessed numerous transformative events: the inaugural color TV program graced London’s screens, Mickey Mouse made his memorable debut, penicillin’s life-saving potential was discovered, and Herbert Hoover emerged as the President of the United States. It is within this backdrop that Weller’s illustrious history unfolds.
It was also in this eventful year that Harry Weller, a modest proprietor of a local body shop, had a visionary revelation. He recognized the genuine worth of recycled auto parts for an industry still in its infancy. Harry seized the opportunity and invested in a parcel of land at the intersection of Airline and Getty in Muskegon, Michigan, using it as a base to store and dismantle damaged vehicles. His small enterprise thrived in the quaint town of Muskegon, prompting Harry to make a momentous decision in 1949: relocating to the nearby city of Grand Rapids.
This strategic move proved highly beneficial, as Weller Auto Parts experienced substantial growth, diligently serving its customers by offering a diverse selection, exceptional value, and unparalleled service.
During this era, Harry Weller II, known as “Junior,” was returning from his military service and joined his father’s business. Junior seamlessly resumed his role, picking up where he had left off before his military service. In the year 1960, coinciding with John F. Kennedy’s presidential election, Junior took a significant step by acquiring the business from his father, setting the stage for an ambitious expansion plan.
Recognizing that sustained growth hinged on delivering unparalleled customer service and an extensive product selection for all vehicle types, Junior embarked on a strategic endeavor. In 1973, a year marked by the commencement of the Watergate Hearings and the inauguration of the World Trade Center as the world’s tallest building, Weller Truck Parts of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was inaugurated. This establishment swiftly emerged as a frontrunner in the heavy truck parts industry, driven by its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
As Junior’s leadership propelled the growth of Weller Auto Parts and Weller Truck Parts, so did the Weller family expand. Junior’s four sons, Skip, Chris, John, and Paul, grew up immersed in their father’s business, where they cultivated a deep passion for the industry. Family vacations often included visits to other parts yards and customer sites, fostering an enduring belief among the boys that Disney World might just be a hidden treasure trove located just outside Orlando, FL.
In 1984, the Weller brothers took the reins of both the Auto and Truck divisions from Junior, a pivotal year that witnessed the world’s introduction to the first CD player.
Inheriting their father’s visionary spirit, the brothers were determined to expand their operations and explore new avenues to better serve their customers. They astutely identified an industry demand for high-quality re-manufactured heavy truck driveline components. This recognition led to the formation of a dedicated team within the Weller family enterprise. With this team in place, Weller Truck Parts ventured into the re-manufacturing sector, underpinned by an unwavering commitment to quality that surpassed even the stringent standards set by original equipment manufacturers. They stood firmly behind their products, ensuring they met the highest standards.
In 1989, George Herbert Walker Bush assumed the presidency of the United States, while Weller Truck Parts achieved a significant milestone by becoming an Authorized Allison Overhaul Dealer. Remarkably, this feat was accomplished just five years after the brothers assumed control of the business. It was indeed a remarkable start, but the road ahead was filled with challenges. Weller Truck Parts was the newcomer in an industry dominated by established giants. Finding reliable suppliers and recruiting skilled employees presented formidable hurdles. Why would anyone choose the ‘new kid’ over industry leaders? The answer lay in the Weller family’s unwavering commitment to delivering a quality product coupled with exceptional customer service.
Weller Truck Parts embarked on its journey to become the nation’s preeminent remanufacturer of heavy-duty driveline components, transcending not just their local block but the entire country.
In 1993, the same year that the World Wide Web was born, Weller Truck opened its first store location outside of Grand Rapids. Other stores soon followed, including Detroit, Gaylord, and Chicago. With the growing number of stores and the growing demand for our product, Weller opened an additional production facility in 1999.
After surviving “Y2K,” construction began on Weller Truck headquarters on Gezon Parkway. This facility opened the following year, 2001, and was named The Weller Truck Parts Reman Center.
Our headquarters has seen remarkable growth with additional expansions, and we’ve extended our presence with the addition of numerous stores across the entire nation. This brings us to our current state today.
The Weller Team has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving our customers, forging the Weller name as a respected and trusted entity within the industry. In turn, the core Weller Family has not only upheld this dedication but also extended it to embrace their broader family, which includes the Frontier Truck Parts, Wellbuilt Axle and Driveline, and Baseline Automotive families.
For a while, Weller had been involved in the repair and remanufacturing of driveshafts. Then, in the year 2020, we took a significant step by officially starting a driveline location at our present headquarters, which was the former Frontier Truck building. It was during this transition that Wellbuilt Axle and Driveline was born. Fast forward three years, and we found ourselves in a continual state of adaptation, keeping pace with the ever-evolving world.
In response to the changing landscape, we established our e-commerce department, which now manages our listings on platforms such as eBay, Amazon, wellbuilt.com, and many others. Today, we proudly stand as the largest driveline shop in our local area while simultaneously expanding our global footprint.