Wardwell
Wardwell Braiding (Stolberger Inc.) is a 1911-founded, Rhode Island-based manufacturer of industrial braiding machines for wire, cable, hose, textile, and composite applications, serving global customers via direct sales and representatives in 16+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1911
- HeadquartersCentral Falls, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Wardwell does
Wardwell Braiding Co. (legally Stolberger Inc. dba Wardwell Braiding Co.) is a U.S.-based manufacturer of industrial braiding machines founded in 1911 and headquartered in Central Falls, Rhode Island. The company designs and builds rotary braiding equipment for wire, cable, hose, textile, and composite applications, with carrier configurations spanning 8 to 144 carriers across multiple machine families.
The core product portfolio centers on the B10 Maypole Braider (8-144 carriers for round braid constructions), B9 Maypole Braider (8-16 carriers for medical and small products), B10 Harness Braider (12-72 carriers for electrical wire harnesses), CB1 Cable Braider (heavy cable reinforcement), Rapid Braider (textile/wire applications up to 160 rpm), Speedmaster (16-24 carrier with integrated take-up/pay-off) and the Speedmaster 2M Wire Braider launched in April 2026, the Composite Braider (24-144 carriers for advanced composites such as rocket-motor exit cones, helicopter rotor blades, automotive drive shafts, windmill spars and sports equipment), and complementary winders (W8-905, W8-942S, W8-945S-WS) and payoffs (W9-250S, W9-250M, W9-250U). Lever arm braiders (DF, DFT, Dratex, Dratex 2450, FO3, Unidra) serve specialized wire/cable shielding, hose reinforcement, and medical catheter applications. The portfolio was extended through the 2026 acquisition of Cobra Braiding Machinery, which contributed the WC-48C 48-carrier high-speed maypole braider.
Wardwell generates revenue through B2B hardware sales of custom-configured braiding equipment, supplemented by training services, multi-year maintenance contracts, and aftermarket parts (supported by an online parts finder). Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contract cadence and no public list pricing. The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct enterprise field sales from its US headquarters with authorized representatives and distributors in 16+ countries spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and select emerging markets. Channel partners include TCL Hofmann (Australia), Elink Electronic (China), Spirka Schnellflechter (Germany), Kemtech International (India), Kokubun (Japan), Interequip (Mexico), Seal Trading (South Korea), Protech Industrial (Taiwan), Warbrick International (UK), and Henderson Sales & Services (US Southeast). Customers span wire & cable, hose & tubing, textile & plastic, electrical wire harness, and composite manufacturing verticals serving aerospace, automotive, medical, defense/military, marine, and consumer technology end markets. Since December 2009, Wardwell has operated within the Wilms Group alongside SKET, Henrich, Spirka-Schnellflechter, and Stolberger.
Wardwell firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wardwell
- Legal name
- Stolberger Inc. dba Wardwell Braiding Co.
- Website
- https://wardwell.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1911
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Wardwell Braiding (Stolberger Inc.) is a 1911-founded, Rhode Island-based manufacturer of industrial braiding machines for wire, cable, hose, textile, and composite applications, serving global customers via direct sales and representatives in 16+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wardwell industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Braiding Equipment
- NAICS
- Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire Fabric Mills (314994)
- SIC
- Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tire Cord & Industrial Reinforcement Fabrics (IMAOABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Wiring Harnesses & Pre-Fabricated Assemblies (IMADAMAN)
Keywords
Where Wardwell is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Central Falls
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices17 records
Markets served
Wardwell business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations
Revenue model
- Braiding Equipment Sales: Wardwell generates revenue primarily through the sale of industrial braiding machines and equipment including maypole braiders, harness braiders, lever arm braiders, winders, and payoffs. The company offers both standard models and custom configurations for specialized applications.
- Training and Support Services: The company provides braider training sessions conducted at customer facilities or Wardwell headquarters, including hands-on training, machine maintenance education, and parts manual distribution.
- Maintenance Contracts: Wardwell offers on-site maintenance services through service contracts to ensure equipment efficiency and longevity, including preventative maintenance for optimum machine performance.
- Parts and Components: The company sells replacement parts and components for braiding machines, supported by online parts finder system and customer account management.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Industrial Equipment - No public pricing available |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Wardwell product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wardwell manufactures and sells industrial braiding equipment including maypole braiders, harness braiders, lever arm braiders, winders, and payoffs for wire and cable, hose and tubing, textile, electrical wire harness, and composite applications. The company offers both standard models and custom configurations across carrier ranges from 8 to 144 carriers, complemented by training, maintenance contracts, and replacement parts.
Product overview
Wardwell Braiding is a world-leading supplier of industrial braiding equipment founded in 1911, now part of the Wilms Group. The product portfolio centers on core braiding machines including the B10 and B9 Maypole Braiders for various applications, the B10 Harness Braider for electrical wire harnesses, CB1 Cable Braider for heavy cable construction, Rapid Braider and Speedmaster for general wire/textile braiding, and the Composite Braider for advanced composite structures. These braiders are supported by a comprehensive range of winders (W8-905, W8-942S, W8-945S-WS) and payoffs (W9-250S, W9-250M, W9-250U) for material handling. The product line also includes lever arm products (DF, DFT, Dratex, Dratex 2450, FO3, Unidra) for specialized braiding applications. The portfolio is extended through partnerships with Cobra (acquired wire harness braiding machinery) and Spirka (partner brand for additional braiding solutions). Applications span hose and tubing reinforcement, wire and cable shielding, textile and plastic products, and electrical wire harnesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cobra: Fourth-generation family business established in 1981, specializing in wire harness and cable harness braiding machinery serving diverse markets including heavy vehicles, agriculture, construction, military, marine, and aerospace
- Spirka
Products and services
- B10 Maypole Braider
Companies that use Wardwell
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Wardwell technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Wardwell partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- Cobra Braiding MachinerycoreWardwell expanded its complete braiding solutions through the acquisition of Cobra Braiding Machinery. This addition enables Wardwell to offer high-capacity options such as the 48-carrier high-speed maypole-style braider for cables up to 1 inch diameter with up to 95% coverage.
- Wilms GroupcoreIn December 2009, Wardwell became a member of the Wilms Group which includes other major equipment suppliers such as SKET, Henrich, Spirka-Schnellflechter, and Stolberger. Through these partnerships, Wardwell continues to provide products and services designed to meet demanding applications for braiding technology.
- Spirka Schnellflechter GmbHcoreSpirka Schnellflechter GmbH serves as Wardwell's authorized sales representative in Germany, located in Berlin. Spirka is also a member of the Wilms Group and specializes in comprehensive braiding machines, spiraling and winding equipment.
- TCL HofmannregionalTCL Hofmann serves as Wardwell's authorized sales representative for Australia, located in Braeside VIC.
- Elink Electronic Technology Co., LtdregionalElink Electronic Technology Co., Ltd serves as Wardwell's authorized sales representative for China, located in Shanghai.
- Kemtech International Ltd.regionalKemtech International Ltd. serves as Wardwell's authorized sales representative for India, located in New Delhi.
- Kokubun Ltd.regionalKokubun Ltd. serves as Wardwell's authorized sales representative for Japan, located in Hamamatsu.
- Protech Industrial Co. Ltd.regionalProtech Industrial Co. Ltd. serves as Wardwell's authorized sales representative for Taiwan, located in Taipei.
- Interequip S.A.regionalInterequip S.A. serves as Wardwell's authorized sales representative for Mexico, located in Mexico City.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Wardwell competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Wilms Group (SME Holding): Parent group of Wardwell, with sister companies SKET, Henrich, Spirka-Schnellflechter, and Stolberger that manufacture complementary wire, cable, and braiding equipment. Provides the strategic context for how Wardwell fits into a broader industrial equipment platform.
- Saurer Technologies (formerly Saurer Industries): Swiss-based industrial group with a long history in twisting, cabling, embroidery, and braiding machinery for textile and technical yarn applications. Larger and more diversified than Wardwell, but overlapping in industrial braiding and cable reinforcement equipment.
- Oerlikon Textile (Oerlikon Barmag): Major global supplier of manmade fiber, texturing, and yarn processing machinery. While its core focus is upstream of braiding, its industrial yarn systems overlap with customers and applications served by Wardwell's industrial fabric/textile capabilities.
Direct peers
- Hacoba GmbH: German textile machinery maker with deep expertise in braiding, winding, and yarn processing equipment. Overlaps with Wardwell in textile and industrial braiding applications and competes for similar OEM customers.
- Allma Kessler (formerly a Saurer division): Specialist in braiding machinery for technical textiles, tire cord, and rubber hose reinforcement. Closely comparable product line to Wardwell in industrial reinforcement and hose applications.
- Cobra Braiding Machinery: Fourth-generation family-owned US manufacturer of wire harness and cable harness braiding machinery, established 1981. Now part of Wardwell following the 2026 acquisition, Cobra was previously a direct US competitor in wire harness braiding for heavy vehicle, marine, and aerospace markets.
- Spirka Schnellflechter Berlin GmbH: Sister company within the Wilms Group that manufactures comprehensive braiding machines plus specialized spiraling and winding equipment. Highly comparable given its heritage dating to 1908, overlap in wire/cable and harness braiding, and its dual role as Wardwell's authorized German sales representative.
- August Herzog GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of braiding and winding machinery serving the wire, cable, hose, and technical textile industries. Competes head-to-head with Wardwell, particularly in European markets and for industrial reinforcement applications.
- Steeger GmbH: German-rooted manufacturer of maypole, harness, and rotary braiding machines for wire, cable, hose, and medical catheter applications. Directly competes with Wardwell across many of the same end markets and machine configurations.
Emerging players
- Wrexham Wire (Wire & Textile Components): Niche braiding machinery and aftermarket parts supplier serving wire harness and cable braiding customers. A smaller, more regional competitor focused on the aftermarket for legacy braider brands, adjacent to Wardwell's installed base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wardwell social profiles
Digital presenceWardwell compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Wardwell financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wardwell leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Wardwell funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wardwell M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wardwell
What does Wardwell do?
Wardwell manufactures and sells industrial braiding equipment including maypole braiders, harness braiders, lever arm braiders, winders, and payoffs for wire and cable, hose and tubing, textile, electrical wire harness, and composite applications. The company offers both standard models and custom configurations across carrier ranges from 8 to 144 carriers, complemented by training, maintenance contracts, and replacement parts.
Is Wardwell a public or private company?
Wardwell is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Wardwell founded?
Wardwell was founded in 1911. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Wardwell based?
Wardwell is headquartered in Central Falls, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wardwell make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Braiding Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are training and Support Services, maintenance Contracts and parts and Components.
Who are Wardwell's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Wilms Group (SME Holding), Saurer Technologies (formerly Saurer Industries) and Oerlikon Textile (Oerlikon Barmag). Direct peers are Hacoba GmbH, Allma Kessler (formerly a Saurer division), Cobra Braiding Machinery, Spirka Schnellflechter Berlin GmbH, August Herzog GmbH & Co. KG and Steeger GmbH. Wrexham Wire (Wire & Textile Components) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Wardwell have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wardwell.
What industry is Wardwell in?
Wardwell's product category is Industrial Braiding Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAOABAK, Tire Cord & Industrial Reinforcement Fabrics, with a secondary code of IMADAMAN, Wiring Harnesses & Pre-Fabricated Assemblies. Its NAICS code is 314994 and its SIC code is 3620.