History
Reell Precision Manufacturing is based on entrepreneurial dynamism and ethical values
The combined forces of the founders’ entrepreneurial drive and their ethical values shaped the company’s history. Dale Merrick, Bob Wahlstedt, and Lee Johnson established Reell Precision Manufacturing in 1970 as a high-quality, wrap spring clutch manufacturer.
From the beginning, the three partners discussed how to shape and build the company through ethical values and principles. The founders accepted the importance of strong financial performance, but not at the expense of employees’ health and families. They envisioned a company in which all coworkers could perform valuable and creative work in an environment that supported their physical, emotional and spiritual health. They built Reell's success by placing a high priority on understanding and serving the needs of coworkers, customers, suppliers and the community.
Customer focus fuels Reell’s product innovation
In the 1980’s Reell began manufacturing springs with the goal of surpassing currently available quality and precision, leading to innovative manufacturing processes still in use today.
The 1990’s saw the initial development of torque hinges to meet the needs of the growing laptop market. This new clip-based technology created small, torque dense solutions to address critical performance issues found in spring and friction disc solutions available at the time.
Throughout the early 2000’s Reell continued to serve the laptop hinge market while creating larger and more feature rich position control solutions ranging from surface mount hinges to internal torque inserts and linear lock options, all with a range of torque profiles and performance.
Reell’s spirit of innovation continues today with expansion into solutions that provide overload protection in shaft driven systems such as a power tailgates in automotive markets. Reell also continues to create new, multi axis positioning options and expanded monitor mounting solutions.
To meet customers where they are, Reell expands around the globe:
- 1993 - European Offices established in Elsoo, Netherlands
- 1998 – Singapore Sales Office Opens
- 2016– China Offices established in Shanghai
- 2022 – Mexico Offices established in Querétaro
Looking Forward
Reell has now moved into its fourth generation of senior leadership, positioned well to meet our Founders goal of providing innovative solutions by leveraging the combined efforts of coworkers, customers, and suppliers. Reell remains committed to our Founder’s vision of high ethical standards and a strong workplace culture.