Company Timeline
50 Years of Excellence
Celebrating our journey since 1976
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1974
First Fully Automated CVA Test Stands
Reliance Electric Company won a major contract from B&K Corporation to deliver the first fully automated CVA (control valve assembly) and assembled transmission test stands for GM's Hydra-Matic plant in Willow Run, Michigan, built hand-in-hand with GM engineers from specs to real-time test software.
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1976
W.M. Associates Founded
Robert and Marilyn Warner founded W.M. Associates, and GM soon engaged WMA to maintain and evolve the original system. In the process, WMA introduced early innovations such as smart I/O card firmware, reducing reliance on traditional programmable controllers and demonstrating the company’s engineering ingenuity from the start.
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1978
Incorporation and Third Owner
WMA incorporated and welcomed Robert Mayer as a third owner, bringing deep expertise in diagnosing complex hardware and software issues and strengthening the engineering bench for what came next.
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1986
Quality Process System for P&G Lines
WMA expanded into real-time quality systems for Procter & Gamble production lines, building the Quality Process System (QPS) to track materials from raw inputs to finished goods, while archiving data for GMP compliance and tighter inventory and scrap visibility.
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1988
Ford Added for Transmission EOL Testing
Ford Motor Company joined as a customer, and WMA began supporting End-of-Line testing on automatic transmissions, an early step in a long relationship centered on reliable, production-ready test.
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1990
Caterpillar Added in Peoria
WMA expanded into Peoria, Illinois, partnering with Caterpillar to deliver End-of-Line transmission test systems engineered for heavy-duty equipment and built to support the speed, scale, and reliability demands of high-throughput manufacturing.
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1994
First PC Test System and Oracle Migration
WMA reached a pivotal technology milestone with the introduction of its first Windows NT-based PC test systems, supported by a transition to Oracle databases and Commercial Off-The-Shelf DAQ hardware. Early implementations at Ford and Caterpillar broadened WMA’s scope beyond End-of-Line testing to include In-Process testing for torque-to-turn, leak testing, and assembly stack-up validation, reinforcing the company’s leadership in scalable, data-driven test-system architecture.
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1995
NVH Analysis Added to Test Solutions
WMA test solutions grew to include noise, vibration, and harshness analysis, adding deeper insight beyond pass/fail by capturing vibration and noise characteristics that impact durability, quality, and customer experience.
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2002
First Leadership Transition
Following the founders’ retirement, WMA entered its first leadership transition, as Mark Benacquista, Tom Babej, and Bill Mayer assumed leadership and carried forward the company’s tradition of engineering excellence and customer partnership.
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2003
First 6-Speed RWD Transmission Testing Program for Ford
WMA began its first 6-speed rear-wheel-drive transmission testing program for Ford, marking another important expansion in scope and technical capability. With solutions spanning helium case leak testing, main control assembly air testing, main control oil calibration, In-Process testing, final leak testing, and End-of-Line testing, the program demonstrated WMA’s ability to support critical quality checkpoints throughout production.
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2005
First 6-Speed FWD Transmission Testing Program for Ford
WMA extended its transmission testing portfolio with the launch of its first 6-speed front-wheel-drive transmission testing program for Ford. Building on the foundation of earlier programs, WMA continued supporting both In-Process and End-of-Line testing, further demonstrating its ability to deliver flexible, high-precision test solutions across evolving transmission platforms.
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2008
Expansion into Asia
WMA entered the Asia market supporting global programs for GM, Ford, and Caterpillar, expanding WMA's footprint and strengthening the ability to deliver consistent systems across regions.
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2010
First EV Battery Testing for Ford
WMA's electric vehicle journey began with Ford, delivering early battery testing for plug-in hybrid EV and full hybrid EV programs, including End-of-Line test capabilities that helped bring electrified platforms into production.
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2011
Expansion into Mexico
WMA expanded into Mexico with GM and Ford, supporting automatic transmission testing for internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles as powertrains diversified and manufacturing programs scaled.
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2012
First Electric Drive Unit Program
WMA reached a major milestone at Ford’s Van Dyke facility with its first Electric Drive Unit (EDU) program, marking a strategic expansion into electrified testing and reinforcing the company’s growing role in next-generation vehicle manufacturing.
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2013
Expansion into South America
Growth continued into Brazil with Caterpillar, extending WMA's test expertise to new facilities and reinforcing a global support model for mission-critical production systems.
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2017
Selected by Ford for 10‑Speed RWD Transmission Testing
Building on years of proven performance and a trusted engineering partnership, WMA was selected by Ford Motor Company to deliver the automated In-Process and End-of-Line test systems for its new 10-speed rear-wheel-drive transmission program. This milestone reinforced WMA’s reputation for reliability, technical depth, and seamless integration within Ford’s global manufacturing operations.
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2019
Chosen Again for 8‑Speed FWD Transmission Testing
Ford Motor Company again turned to WMA, leveraging the company’s long-standing success and strong collaborative history to provide the In-Process and End-of-Line test systems for its next-generation 8-speed front-wheel-drive transmission program. The award underscored WMA’s continued leadership in high-precision, production-ready test automation.
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2019
Remote Startup and COVID Continuity
WMA initiated major installations for Ford in Valencia, Spain, and drive unit programs in Chongqing, China before COVID reshaped global operations. As conditions changed, WMA adapted seamlessly, using remote coordination to keep highly complex systems on track, deliver successful launches, and reinforce lasting customer partnerships.
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2019
Europe Expansion and Electrification Growth
WMA entered Europe and broadened electrification work, growing EV battery, End-of-Line, and leak testing; alongside continued electric drive unit programs.
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2022
India Leak Testing and Leadership Change
WMA expanded its global footprint into India with the launch of Caterpillar’s transmission leak testing program, and completed its second leadership transition with well deserved promotions for Joe Cusma, Darren Johnson, and Janet Warner as they step forward to guide the company’s next chapter.
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2023
Africa Expansion and PHEV EOL Testing
WMA expanded into South Africa and supported PHEV battery End-of-Line testing, helping customers validate plug-in hybrid programs with the same focus on reliability and production readiness.
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2024
WMA Next Gen Development Begins
Development began on the second generation of the WMA test software platform, designed to modernize tools, enhance user experience, and keep the proven foundations customers depend on.
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2026
Continuous Innovation Roadmap
WMA stays focused on continuous innovation, advancing test automation, data quality, and scalability, while exploring where improvements in AI can add real value to diagnostics, throughput, and system intelligence.
