Gear up for an inspiring ride as Hellwig’s President, Melanie White joins Jesse and Josh on episode 16 of The Ride In Style Podcast!  This insightful conversation delves into Melanie’s remarkable journey in the automotive aftermarket industry.

From her early days mastering the art of the cold call to her current role leading one of the most influential companies in the industry, Melanie’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and a genuine passion for the automotive world.

Beyond the Parts: A Multifaceted Leader

The podcast goes beyond the nuts and bolts of Hellwig products.  Melanie opens up about the diverse roles she’s held within the company, ultimately leading her to the CEO position.  She also shares her experiences navigating the challenges faced by the industry during the pandemic.

A Guiding Principle: Putting the Customer First

At the heart of Hellwig’s success lies a core value Melanie champions: “To do the right thing for the customer.”  This unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction resonates throughout the company culture.  The podcast explores how Melanie fosters this customer-centric approach and her excitement for continued customer interaction in 2024.

Giving Back and Shaping the Future

Melanie’s leadership extends beyond Hellwig.  The conversation highlights her dedication to volunteer work, particularly with SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Care, a program that provides financial assistance to industry professionals facing hardship.  Her involvement with the SEMA board further emphasizes her commitment to shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket.

Insights on Regulations and Education

No conversation about the automotive industry is complete without addressing the ever-evolving landscape of regulations.  Melanie offers valuable insights and perspectives on this complex topic.  The podcast also touches on the importance of education within the automotive realm, ensuring a knowledgeable and well-equipped enthusiast community.

Don’t Miss This Inspiring Ride!

Tune in to episode 16 of The Ride In Style Podcast and be inspired by Melanie White’s journey, leadership philosophy, and passion for the automotive industry.  This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the inner workings of a leading aftermarket company and the story of a remarkable leader!

Hellwig Suspension Products, a leading manufacturer of towing, hauling, and performance suspension products, is thrilled to announce that CEO Melanie Hellwig-White has been recognized with a prestigious 2024 Women MAKE Award from the Manufacturing Institute.

The Women MAKE Awards (formerly the STEP Awards) celebrate the achievements of exceptional women across the entire manufacturing industry.  Melanie joins a select group of 100 Honorees chosen from a pool of 1,000 nominees.  This recognition highlights her dedication to leadership, innovation, mentorship, and community impact.

Melanie’s story exemplifies dedication and hard work.  Since joining her family’s company, a certified Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) business, in   2005, she’s steadily risen through the ranks.  Her passion and leadership led her to become President and CEO in 2018.  Under her guidance, Hellwig has seen remarkable growth, nearly tripling its revenue.

Despite her impressive climb, Melanie remains grounded.   “After almost 20 years in the industry,” she says, “I still enjoy putting on my steel-toed boots and walking the factory floor with my team.”  This commitment to collaboration and hands-on leadership is a cornerstone of her success.

Melanie’s influence extends far beyond the walls of Hellwig.  She actively contributes to the Society of Automotive Engineers in Southern California, mentoring engineering students at local universities.  Additionally, she champions initiatives that empower women in the industry, partnering with the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network and SEMA’s Gear-Up Girl program. Her recent appointment as incoming Chair of the Board of Directors for SEMA further amplifies her impact.  In this role, she advocates for and protects family-owned businesses across the United States, ensuring a thriving future for the manufacturing sector.

We at Hellwig are incredibly proud of Melanie and her well-deserved recognition by the Manufacturing Institute. Her leadership, innovation, and passion for the industry inspire us all. We look forward to seeing her continue to break barriers and champion growth for women and family-owned businesses in the future.

For more information on the Women MAKE Awards, click here.

March 2024 Press Release

The latest project vehicle from Hellwig Products is the “Attainable Adventure” Ford Ranger, equipped with all the necessities to overland for up to two weeks. Gearing up for true adventure can add a lot of weight. Hellwig Load and Sway Control Products are key to a comfortable journey.

The build includes a bed-mounted kitchen setup, power station with solar panels, a rooftop tent, bike mount for ebikes and the Hellwig EZ-990 Helper Springs and Rear Sway Bar to support the Ranger’s extra weight with all that gear.

RVs can be a real challenge to drive and there are certain conditions under which even seasoned drivers begin to lose confidence. Nobody likes the sensation of swaying side to side at freeway speeds when you’re caught in a crosswind, nor do they like the wallowy feel that a loaded RV can have when attempting to navigate a twisty road.

Hellwig has designed several RV-specific products that will help combat some of your RVs wayward handling characteristics and get you feeling like the King of the Road once again!

Learn more about our products: https://hellwig.valet.io/our-products/

We installed our signature steel helper springs and rear sway bar onto this Thor Tellaro Class B motorhome on a Ram ProMaster 3500 chassis and the owner was thrilled with the difference our products made.

Class B Motorhomes can benefit greatly from the addition of helper springs and upgraded sway bars. Nobody likes the sensation of swaying side to side at freeway speeds when you’re caught in a crosswind, nor do they like the wallowy feel that a loaded RV can have when attempting to navigate a twisty road.

Hellwig has designed several RV-specific products that will help combat some of your RV’s wayward handling characteristics and get you feeling like the King of the Road once again!

Thanks to our friends at Galpin Auto Sports in North Hills, California for allowing us to do the installation at their facility!

For the last 74 years, Hellwig Products has been making precision-engineered suspension products from American sourced steel at their facility in California. A family-owned company from the start, Hellwig is dedicated to helping enthusiasts with all their suspension needs. Transforming from a father and son door-to-door sales operation to a manufacturing powerhouse distributing worldwide, its dedication towards constantly improving its products to develop the best performance suspension parts remains unchanged. American manufacturing is in our DNA.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges for businesses of all sizes across our nation. The Sun-Gazette Newspaper recently spoke with us to discuss the impact it has had on us and how we’ve adjusted.

Read the full story by clicking the link here – The Sun-Gazette Hellwig Products

Ever wondered how a sway bar works?

Sway bars, or more accurately anti-roll bars, are designed to resist a vehicle’s tendency to pitch from side to side during cornering, improving cornering ability and making for a more comfortable controlled ride. Sway bars are among the most cost effective and dramatic improvements that you can make to your vehicle regardless of whether it’s a truck, muscle car, tow rig, or RV. Sway bars are also typically easy to install, making them a great first upgrade for anyone who wants a little more control out of their ride.

Helper Springs are designed to make hauling heavy loads safer by maintaining a level ride height. Towing and hauling heavy loads can cause the rear end of your truck to sag which leads to decreased control, increased wear and tear on rear end suspension and braking components, light steering response and difficulty braking.

Helper Springs are a cost effective solution that improves the look and safety of your truck by maintaining a level ride. Helper Springs are also typically easy to install, making them a great first upgrade for anyone who wants a little more control out of their ride.

Mike Hallmark of Hellwig Products made a guest appearance the 4×4 Podcast to talk about the importance of load and sway control and all things overland and off-road.

Listen to the podcast by clicking the link here – The 4×4 Podcast