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Whitman Controls enters a new era as brothers William and Ramsey Brame officially take the helm from longtime president J. Yancey “Yank” Brame. As second-generation leaders, they bring deep respect for the company’s 43-year legacy and a bold vision for the future—rooted in quality, integrity, and service. Now recognized as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Whitman Controls combines time-tested reliability with a renewed focus on innovation, digital growth, and global expansion. With William’s strategic background in finance and Ramsey’s distinguished military service, the company is poised to continue delivering high-performance sensor solutions while maintaining the customer-first values that have always defined the Whitman brand.

For over 40 years, Whitman Controls has proudly served the U.S. military and defense sectors with rugged, reliable sensor solutions. Our pressure, vacuum, temperature, and liquid level switches are engineered to thrive under extreme conditions—withstanding shock, vibration, and corrosive environments—thanks to stainless steel, acid-resistant construction. Trusted across mission-critical systems, Whitman’s sensors deliver military-grade performance at a cost-effective price point, proving that strength, precision, and value can go hand-in-hand.

The COVID-19 pandemic tested the limits of global healthcare infrastructure and supply chains. Amid the chaos, innovation became essential. Nectar Product Development rose to the challenge by launching Breath Direct, a mission-driven company that developed the BDR-19, a cost-effective, high-performance ventilator designed for underserved regions.

To make this vision a reality, Breath Direct partnered with Whitman Controls, leveraging their 50+ years of sensor expertise to co-develop a custom pressure switch that met stringent medical requirements—without driving up costs. Together, they delivered a critical care solution with global impact, proving how collaboration and innovation can thrive even in crisis.

In the high-stakes world of semiconductor manufacturing, precision is everything—and every sensor matters. From the nanometer-scale fabrication of integrated circuits to the robust utility systems that sustain cleanroom operations, instrumentation must perform with unwavering accuracy under the most extreme conditions. At Whitman Controls, we specialize in crafting ultra-reliable pressure, flow, temperature, and vacuum instrumentation purpose-built to meet the rigorous demands of IC production. Whether supporting wafer processing, die packaging, ultrapure water recycling, or sterile HVAC systems, our high-purity, custom-engineered solutions help safeguard uptime, yield, and quality in the world’s most advanced fabs.

While smart sensors are rising in popularity, it’s often the simplest tools that prove the most powerful. As a Professional Engineer at Nucor Steel put it, “basic sensors like [those supplied by Whitman Controls] are still the most widely used, definitely the most reliable, and the most cost effective.” In today’s push toward automation and smart manufacturing, Whitman’s rugged, customizable pressure switches continue to be the backbone of countless systems—offering precision, safety, and durability without the need for expensive computing infrastructure. Whether it’s robotic glass installation or next-gen drones, Whitman’s switches deliver time-tested performance in cutting-edge applications.

Contract manufacturers thrive in a space where adaptability and specialization intersect. With the ability to apply niche production capabilities across a broad spectrum of industries and product types, these manufacturers rely on smart, scalable instrumentation to maintain their competitive edge. Whether it’s ensuring process uptime through robust, reliable equipment sensors or integrating cost-effective, customizable components into finished goods, contract manufacturers need partners who understand both the complexity of their operations and the pace of their markets. Whitman Controls delivers on both fronts—providing standardized solutions that simplify plant maintenance and highly adaptable instrumentation tailored to meet the demands of rapidly evolving end-product requirements.

Traditionally seen as a cost center, procurement—especially in the context of industrial process instrumentation—can actually serve as a powerful profit driver. By strategically sourcing high-quality instruments, businesses can enhance process accuracy, product quality, customer satisfaction, and overall operational efficiency. Thoughtful procurement choices also strengthen documentation, traceability, vendor partnerships, and supply chain resilience, while mitigating risk and reinforcing competitive advantages. With a focus on premium instrumentation and strong supplier collaboration, companies can turn procurement into a key contributor to revenue growth and market differentiation.

In today’s interconnected industrial landscape, success is no longer about isolated transactions—it’s about strategic collaboration. High-performance vendor relationships go beyond pricing and lead times to deliver shared value, reduce risk, and improve long-term outcomes for both suppliers and customers. In this article, we explore how formalizing vendor relationships can elevate procurement performance across the supply chain, with real-world examples from instrumentation distribution that highlight the power of partnership.