When we sell a forklift, our connection to our customer does not end there. Our parts department is ready and able to provide the highest level of support. Since there are Wiggins lifts in the field still working after 25+ years, our Parts Department staff has over thirty years of knowledge and the ability to help any customer.
Factory-trained and experienced, our parts team offers you the parts and information you need when you need it—whether it is a part needed for a Wiggins machine from twenty years ago, or a spare part for a brand new machine. We have inventory warehouses on both the east and west coasts of the US to make sure the part is in stock and close by when you need it.
In 2010, we partnered with Taylor Machine Works and Sudden Service, Inc., to further our goal of providing the highest quality service to our customers all over the world. The relationship between these two American, family-run businesses have benefitted Wiggins, Taylor, SSI, and—most important—our customers.
The award was presented at a dinner at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort in Santa Barbara, California on May 4, 2018. Michele was presented with a beautiful Tiffany award crystal.
We at Wiggins Lift know how much you deserved this award! Congratulations!
(The SOE Foundation’sSpirit of Entrepreneurship Awards recognize the contributions of outstanding women entrepreneurs to the economies of Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties, and also support future economic growth through the recognition, financial support, and education of student entrepreneurs.)
Wiggins Lift and CEO Michele McDowell in the American Journal of Transportation
Wiggins Lift Co., Inc. and Michele Wiggins-McDowell was recently featured in an article in the American Journal of Transportation. The article highlights Wiggins’ use of the latest technology for safety, durability, efficiently, environment-friendliness, and strength. Noting that Michele may be the first female CEO of a forklift design and manufacturing company, the article continues:
As the third-generation Wiggins to become the chief executive officer of the leading manufacturer of marina forklifts in the world, Michele will tell you that her blood lines may have provided the connection, but her qualifications for the job are a result of learning the forklift business from the bottom up. She began working at the Wiggins factory in Oxnard, California at age fourteen.
Michele is the daughter of second generation Wiggins CEO Mike Wiggins, and granddaughter of company’s founder Mel Wiggins. She began her career running parts, working as head janitor, office assistant and lead go-for. After a four-year separation to attend college at Abilene Christian University, Michele returned to the factory as director of purchasing and then chief financial officer before taking the helm after father Mike Wiggins stepped down. Mike still works and has assumed the title of president of the company.
Wiggins is the world’s leading manufacturer of marina forklifts, shipping product throughout the globe. They have designed the world’s largest marina trucks, used to lift yachts from the water, transport them back to boat storage facilities and insert them into their multi-level slots. Wiggins has also produced forklifts for the agricultural fields of California, for the U.S. military, for nuclear power plants and specialty lift trucks for the marine terminal industry…
From the Wiggins team to all of you—Happy Fourth of July!
Have fun, stay safe, and lift responsibly.
Stay tuned for a series of posts in the coming weeks that will cover the Wiggins approach to
How we combine the idea of standardized components AND options for our customers.
How we combine the idea of standardized controls AND options for our customers.
Our axles and your options
Our excellent support staff for parts and service, regardless of the options you choose for your lift
Notice a theme? Wiggins is known worldwide for custom engineering and tailoring lifts to our customers’ needs, while also offering great service and parts supply.
Wiggins’ Bruce Farber Selected as
ASME Engineer of the Year
Wiggins Lift Co., Inc. was honored last year by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Channel Islands (ASME) for our innovative Marina FLX. This year, our own Bruce Farber has been named the ASME Engineer of the Year.
Bruce has been a vital part of the Wiggins’ team for almost twenty years as Technical Director at Wiggins Lift. He was recently promoted to Director of Business Development and Special Projects, making use of his expertise, experience, and intimate knowledge of Wiggins’ products to help customers make the best choice.
From the ASME release:
Bruce Farber stands out as not just as the ASME Mechanical Engineer of this Year, but his technical and professional achievements over the arc of his career span many areas of Mechanical Engineering. Bruce is a local product, having earned both his BS and MS Mechanical Engineering degrees from UCSB in 1979 and 1980, respectively. As an undergrad, he earned Highest Honors, Magna Cum Laude, and also resurrected the dormant ASME Student Chapter at UCSB. Over the 36 years of his professional career, Bruce has served as a member and officer of both ASME Channel Islands and California Society of Professional Engineers.Over 36 years, Bruce has demonstrated his technical skills and leadership, from Lab Assistant to Engineering Director, from the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory in Port Hueneme to Oceaneering Technologies to the present day at Wiggins Lift Company in Oxnard. Along the way, he has earned 9 patents –for the US Navy for seawater hydraulic diver tools, tennis racquet improvements to prevent tennis elbow, an exercise chair for paraplegics, and forklift safety technology. He analyzed and helped install the JAWS sharks in Florida and the first plastic wastewater outfall in California.
Key points of EOY’s career of accomplishments that merit recognition as EOY:
Credentials include BS in Mechanical Engineering (1979) and MS in Mechanical Engineering (1980), both from UCSB; California Professional Engineer license in Mechanical Engineering.
Progressive professional growth and technical achievement throughout his career, from Lab Technician to Engineering Director. Companies include Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory, Oceaneering Technologies, Allison Fitness, Hi-Temp Insulation, Proactive Technologies and Wiggins Lift Company. Recently he has taken a new position at Wiggins Lift as Director of Business Development and Special projects which allow him to combine his technical background with sales acumen.
Holds 9 patents. 5 patents for the US Navy covers a seawater hydraulic tool system for divers, 2 patents cover improvements for tennis racquets to prevent tennis elbow. 1 patent for an exercise chair for paraplegics. 1 patent in forklift technology for enhanced stability control.
Active member of ASME for 39 continuous years, from 1978 as undergraduate student at UCSB who helped re-establish the ASME UCSB Student Chapter to the present as member of ASME Channel Islands Section where he has held various leadership positions (including Chair) over the years. Also a member and officer of California Society of Professional Engineers where he also served as officer several times.
Congratulations to Bruce and our gratitude for his excellent work over the years! We are proud that you are part of the Wiggins’ team!
We were privileged to have the Channel Islands High School welding class for a visit Wiggins Lift!
Joe, Paul, and some others from our team took them on a tour of the facility, discussed our operations, watched some of the welders work, and got to talk with them all about our work. Thanks to their teacher, Jonathan Throckmorton, for helping set up the field trip. We enjoyed having this bright group of students, and wish them all the best in the future!
