Our Timeline
1890s
1892
The Beginning
George Wordingham stops in Milwaukee to visit family and decides to settle there. Phoenix Printing is founded on North 2nd Street, specializing in printing and packaging for the laundry and dry cleaning industry.
1910s
1916
Relocation
To accommodate the growing company, its headquarters moves to the corner of East Chicago and North Jackson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1920s
1921
Name Change
Phoenix Printing becomes Phoenix Products.
1922
Little Mill in the Prairie
The company purchases a veneer mill in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to support plans to diversify.
1926
Adding On
A manufacturing plant is constructed in Oakland, California to make paper products. This stays in operation until 1939.
1930s
1936
Family Matters
George Wordingham passes leadership of the company to his son, Maurice G. Wordingham.
1940s
1940
On the Move
As business expands, Phoenix Products relocates to North 27th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1942
The Foundation
The Barker Metal Spinning Company is purchased to lay the groundwork for the Metal Products Division.
1943
First Edition
The first Sturdilite® is produced.
Our Timeline
1950s
1951
Come Together
Welding rod ovens and commercial lighting products are brought into the mix.
1959
Take the Lead
John M. Wordingham takes over the company.
1960s
1961
Beginning of an Era
The first docklite® is sold, and so begins the high industry recognition and regard of Phoenix dock lighting.
1970s
1974
More Power
Marine floodlights and interior lighting for nuclear power plants are introduced.
1976
Spun Out
After being in the spinning industry for 34 years, the operation is sold.
1978
In Good Health
The Health Care Products Division is created to serve medical packaging markets.
1980s
1983
New Additions
Explosion-proof and fluorescent fixtures are introduced to the product line.
1985
Passing the Torch
Having worked for the company since 1966, George J. Wordingham becomes president of the company.
1988
Moving Up
Ever expanding, Phoenix relocates to North 64th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1990s
1993
Strong Hold
P-H-X, Inc. evolved out of the Health Care Products Division to become a quality supplier of water-based adhesives and cohesives serving various industrial markets.
1998
Keeping the World Welding
Phoenix International, Inc. evolves out of Phoenix Products Company Inc. to grow the DryRod® and dryWIRE® line of welding electrode and wire holding ovens. P-H-X, Inc. is sold to Northwest Coatings.
World Wide Web for Ovens
Phoenix International launches its first website.
1999
Get Out and Grill
The management team at Phoenix hosts its first annual Bratfest - a tradition that is carried on to this day to celebrate all employees.
Our Timeline
2000s
2000
Lighting Meets the Internet
Phoenix Lighting launches its first website!
2002
Next Chapter
Phoenix Health Care Products, LLC is sold to Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc.
A Safer Place
In support of the Navy’s anti-terrorism efforts following the USS Cole bombing, Phoenix designs a hull perimeter light fixture to dramatically increase security on and around ships.
2003
Slimming Down
Phoenix makes the transition from traditional to lean manufacturing, allowing operations to move from its 98,000 square-foot building to its current 68,000 square-foot facility on Port Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2004
A Better Way
Phoenix implements a QRM (Quick Response Manufacturing) program companywide to increase efficiency and service excellence.
Biking for a Cause
Phoenix participates for the first time in the annual Best Dam Bike Ride in support of MS.
2006
Career Building
Phoenix begins its engineering internship program giving a path to many of the industry’s most successful product development engineers.
2007
Lighting the Way
Phoenix installs its first LED product.
Our Timeline
2010s
2011
The World’s First
Phoenix becomes the first lighting company to fully outfit a dragline using LED technology.
Seeing the Light
Phoenix hosts its first on-site lighting demo bringing together industry professionals from around the world.
Stamp of Approval
Phoenix earns ISO certification.
2012
The Big 6
Phoenix installs its first lights in Africa expanding its presence to six continents.
Just How Durable Are Our Fixtures?
Phoenix Lighting released its first durability video after the infamous “Ben from Phoenix” drops a ModCom LED floodlight 25 feet in the Phoenix parking lot to demonstrate its durability. This video started a tradition of many durability videos that are still being regularly released!
2013
Around the World
Phoenix opens remote offices in Taiwan, the Netherlands and Egypt in response to growing worldwide demand.
A Special Event
Wisconsin governor Scott Walker recognizes Phoenix’ contribution to the mining market with a visit to the facility to discuss pending mining legislature.
2014
Fresh Face
Phoenix introduces its new look.
Let’s Get Physical
Phoenix starts the tradition of incorporating a 5K run/walk into its annual Bratfest festivities.
2015
Continued Growth
Phoenix segments its offerings and launches a new brand, Phoenix Terminal Solutions, the industry’s first and only global sales agency exclusively serving container, intermodal and bulk terminals.
Great Vision
Phoenix Terminal Solutions teams up with LASE to bring laser positioning products to the terminal market.
And the Winner Is…
Phoenix Terminal Solutions wins the International Bulk Journal award for its work in customer service for the bulk handling industry
2016
Our Legend Lives On
The Phoenix Company is formed as the corporate brand encompassing Phoenix Lighting, Phoenix International and Phoenix Terminal Solutions.
2018
Legendary Leadership
Fourth generation owner and president, George J. Wordingham, announces his retirement. He is the great-grandson of the company’s original founder and had worked for Phoenix for 52 years.
A New Chapter of Growth
Phoenix Teams Up with JMC Capital Partners to Expand Presence in the Lighting Industry.
2019
Growth Is In The Air
Phoenix acquires Bright Light Systems - a U.S. company with a state-of-the-art lighting controls system, expertise in high mast applications and numerous installations worldwide.
2020s
2020
Aiding the Fight Against Covid-19
In a matter of four days, Phoenix customized, built, and delivered ModCom 2 LED floodlights to give the USNS Comfort the updated safety, light quality and efficiency required for the current deployment.
Diversifying DC Work Lights
After launching the Sturdilite EDC Series in 2015, Phoenix introduces the impact-resistant, long-lasting Sturdilite Master Series for mobile equipment and other low-voltage DC floodlight applications.
2021
Intelligent Navigation Lights
Phoenix announces the SturdiSignal Series Navigation Lights, which offer modularity and the same level of durability as their other marine LED fixtures. The self-monitoring navigation light can be serviced onboard for in-field repairs, lowering the overall operational expenses of vessels.
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