What an accomplishment!  Victor Rea would be so proud of how we have taken care of his legacy for the past 90 years.  While our vision, mission, and strategies have evolved throughout the years to focus on the success of our customers, we have tried to stay true to his tenets of “doing what’s right for the people … employees, customers, suppliers, and communities.

Before Rea was organized in 1933, Victor started working as a foreman in 1912 for the Dudlo Company, which was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, to “Wall Street” in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1911.  Back then, the “treasure chest” for Dudlo centered around “The Tiny Black Box” supporting the electric ignition of Ford Model T automobiles.  Fast forward 90 years, the electrification of vehicles is ramping up, and Rea is poised to participate in this evolving market too.

We are so fortunate to have had owners and team members over the past 90 years to ensure the long-term success of Rea.  Most privately held companies do not make it beyond 25 years, so this truly is an outstanding achievement and one worth celebrating.  Each of Rea’s locations will hold a celebration event during the months of June or July.  Rea will also distribute a special 90th anniversary gift to employees; and if you enjoy reading about Rea’s history, we will be updating the 75th anniversary edition to the 90th anniversary edition including the recent ownership change from the Vann, Foster, Wyatt, and Gorman families to Elektrisola (Schildbach families).

It’s been an exciting 90 years, and we are looking forward to what is in store for Rea (and Elektrisola) for many more years to come.