From Brian Radwell, Founder of Radwell International

"At Radwell, we specialize in the distribution and restoration of industrial electrical components and electronic control devices. Our expertise encompasses the sale and refurbishment of an array of essential components such as timers, counters, photoelectric sensors, circuit breakers, pushbuttons, PLC's, motors, speed controllers, robotics and any other machinery-enabling devices."

Mr. Radwell describes Radwell's clientele as diverse and far-reaching, including automakers, chemical plants, food processing facilities, municipalities, government agencies, bakeries, power plants, amusement parks, exporters, plastic molding and extrusion enterprises, steel plants, and a plethora of other sectors pivotal to businesses.

Under the flagship of Radwell International, the subsidiary Radwell.com stands as the preeminent supplier of both new and pre-owned surplus industrial electrical and electronic control equipment on a global scale. "Our procurement spans a gamut, encompassing acquisitions from plant closures, auction events, and excessive inventory. After meticulous verification and certification of these components, we meticulously package them in custom Radwell packaging, making them available for purchase at a fraction of their original cost. Our international outreach is significant, as 30% of our sales occur outside the United States," Radwell stated.

Radwell Roots Brian Radwell's upbringing took root in the small town of Medford, New Jersey. During his initial years of high school, as a freshman and sophomore, Brian enjoyed participating in football. However, in 1982, when circumstances turned difficult and financial constraints tightened their grip, the prospect of a college education via an athletic scholarship grew uncertain. Disregarding his coach's counsel, Brian resolved to veer away from football and embrace the workforce.

"At the age of 15, I assumed the role of shipper at Speck Industrial Controls. Nestled in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, our small industrial control distribution enterprise was staffed by a mere five individuals. My father, Jerry, held a fractional ownership in Speck and initiated me into the realm of industrial manufacturing, instilling the significance of electrical and electronic controls," recounted Brian.

While traversing the corridors of high school, Brian charted an unconventional course, participating in early-out programs that expedited his immersion in the burgeoning automation sector. In the backdrop of Speck's operational struggles, Brian remained steadfast in his role as a shipper, simultaneously taking on a second occupation as a gas station attendant in the nearby town of Marlton. He reflected, "This dual commitment enabled me to work until the stroke of midnight almost every night, a period during which I grasped the art of earning a livelihood." Across the span of 15 to 18 years old, Brian successfully juggled the rigors of high school education with the demands of two employment endeavors.

Growing Up Upon reaching the milestone of 18 years, Brian's path stood at the cusp of high school graduation, marking an uncertain journey into the future. Jim Speck, the Owner and President of Speck, made the decision to bring down the curtain on the business. As the curtains closed on Brian's high school years in

June of 1986, a new chapter beckoned—one that saw him joining forces with his father to steer the reins of Speck.

This marked Brian's initiation into an accelerated path within the realm of industrial sales and repair. "My days became a blur of relentless activity, managing repairs during the night and spearheading new product sales through the day. In a tight-knit team of merely four individuals, each of us bore the weight of extensive hours and the pressures that came with them," Brian recollected. Regrettably, just a scant few months following the transition, Brian's father, Jerry, found himself grappling with health woes. A heart attack struck him down, casting a shadow on the future of the family business.

Failure Not An Option

Brian now had the daunting responsibility of leading the company as his father grappled with incapacitation. Meanwhile, his mother, Darlene, embarked on a challenging journey filled with numerous trials. From the outset, Brian keenly grasped the enormity of the task before him — the task of constructing a company that could earn the unwavering trust of its customers.

With determination, Brian dedicated himself to cultivating robust relationships with his customers. He understood that the company needed to excel on all fronts — faster, superior, and more cost-effective than any rival in the field. Little did Brian anticipate the opposition that the competition would mount against his efforts.

In a surprising turn, a significant repair competitor launched a lawsuit against Brian, alleging that his publication of a repair price book infringed upon their exclusive copyright. The legal battle proved both financially burdensome and compounded by the escalating costs of Jerry's medical insurance. "Our existence was sustained on a mere $25.00 weekly wage, and we toiled through the nights within the confines of our office until the case was resolved," Brian recollects.

Yet, the challenges continued. Following suit, the foremost manufacturer of industrial controls in the United States initiated an assault on Brian's company, contending that they could not legitimately claim competence in repairing their products. This propelled yet another costly legal clash, a situation exacerbated by the company's financial constraints.

Through adversity and against the odds, Brian remained undeterred. His tenacity and commitment to his company's vision endured, even as the road ahead grew increasingly turbulent.

Whatever It Takes

The accumulation of these challenges proved to be an overwhelming burden for Jerry, culminating in a heart attack that necessitated emergency bypass surgery. This critical health event further complicated Jerry's ability to support Brian during this prolonged period of upheaval.

At a mere 22 years of age, Brian found himself fully poised to compete with well-established, larger corporations. As the legal battles subsided temporarily, Brian's reputation had already solidified — that of a resolute young President unafraid to stand up against industry giants. Brian's unwavering determination and willingness to confront any obstacle head-on became his defining traits.

This reputation sent a clear message to competitors: the days of employing baseless lawsuits to undermine Radwell were numbered. Brian's resolute stance and readiness to do whatever was necessary to prevail served as a deterrent against those who sought legal maneuvers to undermine and force the company out of the market.

In Brian's words, "This stance forced competitors to think twice before resorting to unfounded legal actions in an attempt to cripple our business." The unwavering spirit of Radwell was enduring and had become a source of pause and contemplation for those who previously might have seen the company as an easy target.

A Company Paralyzed

Brian married his high school sweetheart at 23 and began preparing for the future. Unfortunately, the world had other plans. Again plagued with illness, Jerry fell... and fell hard. This time a brain stem stroke paralyzed him 100 percent and put him in a state known as "locked in." He could only raise his eyes -- up for "yes" -- down for "no."

Brian was extremely close to Jerry and endured tremendous sadness and depression in seeing his father suffer. Brian was determined to give Jerry the best support he could and the highest quality of life possible. Fortunately, the company had insurance that would allow Jerry 24-hour home nursing care. Without it, Jerry would have had to be placed in a nursing home. The company pulled together as a team and did not miss a beat.

Jerry was in his very early fifties when Brian would not allow him to be placed in a nursing home. "This is when the largest battle began," Radwell exclaims. "We were employing 15 people, and the insurance carrier raised our rates from $2,000 per year for an average employee to $60,000 per employee per year!" This was on top of the fact that his father, Jerry still needed the insurance. It was costing Speck nearly $1 million per year. The insurance that was available to replace the current policy did not offer home nursing care.

End Of An Era

Next, the insurance company sent a letter stating that the policy Jerry had was to be cancelled, and he had to switch to the new one or find another company. This left no option other than to take action against one of the largest insurance companies in the world, beginning the longest battle in Brian's career."The whole company was working as a team to help to fight this battle. Years later we won against the insurance company, and my father never spent one day in a nursing home," Radwell states beaming with extreme pride.

Jerry Radwell died in 2002 on New Year's Eve at home in Medford, New Jersey.

Radwell International, LLC Today

From 2011 to 2023, Radwell experienced a significant expansion phase, strategically establishing its presence in various key regions. This expansion encompassed the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Poland, Belgium, and the Czech Republic and incorporated multiple new locations across the United States. Most notable was the inauguration of its expansive 312,000-square-foot headquarters in Willingboro.

The momentum of sustained growth, both domestically and on the global stage, propelled Radwell into the echelons of the world's most expansive industrial repair and distribution facilities. This expansion trajectory firmly positioned Radwell as a substantial player within the industry, attesting to its remarkable journey from its modest origins.

As of June 2023, Brian Radwell decided to retire and spend more time with his growing family. Brian Radwell states, "Radwell is a special company; our people and culture make us that way. Radwell is not built by one person but by many Radwell family members. I am excited to see the incredible growth across all segments of our business, which I know would not be possible without the hard work, day in and day out, of every one of our team members. I am especially excited and proud of the opportunity our growth brings to all our teammates and customers."

Today, Radwell employs over 2,400 people and has customers worldwide. Radwell's customer base continues to expand with the investment from Greenbriar Equity Group and CVC Capital Partners. With their backing, Radwell has acquired and added multiple locations across North America and Europe and will continue to do so. We are determined to create the world's best industrial repair, distribution, and surplus automation company. We have added to our global inside and outside sales force and to our Engineers and Technicians. Our continued growth is to serve our customers' expanding needs. Radwell strives to offer the highest level of reliability and genuinely cares about our customers as we work to provide the best service possible. Remember, think savings first, and never sacrifice quality or customer service!