History

Michael Owens was appointed President and COO in January. Eric Vaughn, the founder and past President of DNA Group, will remain as CEO.

DNA Group celebrated 30 years of business in June.

DNA continues its focus of providing innovative “Integrated Solutions” to OEMs.   Areas of focus are HMI, Contract Manufacturing, and Connectivity.

A joint venture was established between DNA Group and ACES Electronics, going by the name ACES North America. A landing page was set up to provide more information.

DNA Asia established as a sourcing and qualification office in Taiwan

DNA added a sales office in Clearwater, Florida

DNA announced the successful sale of its standard and semi-custom keypad business

Singatron designated DNA as their exclusive North American representative for SGconn waterproof connector products.

DNA Group, Inc. celebrated its 25th year anniversary

DNA Resources created to focus on demand driven sourced components and to provide domestic value-added services

DNA and Defond celebrated their 20 year partnership

DNA and Defond restructured its ownership and organization for more flexibility and responsiveness to the North American market.

DNA added a sales office in Littleton (Denver), Colorado

DNA received the 2003 Top Supplier Performance award from Whirlpool

Digital Switching Systems was created to manage proprietary multiplex power distribution control solutions and HMI devices for the marine, transportation, and industrial markets.

DNA received the Supplier of the Year award from Toro Purchasing Company

Defond and DNA began a period of significant expansion of product lines through internal development and acquisition.

Defond:

• Recognized as world’s largest supplier of switches for the power tool industry
• Acquired European operation for production of automotive switches
• Acquired European producer of valves and solenoids
• Formed a dedicated resource group for Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) to serve growing demand for integrated electronic and electro-mechanical sub-assemblies

DNA:

• Developed proprietary designs for definite purpose contactors for the HVAC market. Introduced heavy-duty rocker switches for marine and transportation markets
• Acquired product lines for mechanical humidistats and appliance switches

DNA named Whirlpool Small Appliance Business Unit’s Supplier of the Year for the second year

DNA named Whirlpool Small Appliance Business Unit’s Supplier of the Year

DNA named KitchenAid Greenville Division’s 1999 Supplier of the Year

DNA named as the 1997 Supplier of the Year by Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex

DNA created a joint venture with SIBER Group (IT) for production and marketing of SIBER products in North America and Asia

Defond North America changed its name to DNA Group, Inc. to better reflect its broad range of product offerings and brand names.

DNA added sales offices in Cleveland and Chicago

Group Defond, one of SEI’s key suppliers recognized the strategic and investment value of a long-term relationship with SEI, both as a supplier and a partner. Defond North America Inc. was created by merging the interest of SEI and Defond into a 50/50 joint venture with shared equity and a single clear mission; serve the NAFTA OEM marketplace for appliances, power tools, and electronics by building long-term relationships with customers.

SEI Components Incorporated, the predecessor to DNA Group was incorporated in 1987. SEI developed sources in Asia for electronic and electro-mechanical components with an emphasis on switch products targeted to the appliance, power tool, and consumer product markets