For industrial and mobile equipment OEMs, the operator interface is where machine information, controls, and the user experience come together. A display must be clear in changing conditions, responsive enough to support graphics-rich applications, and flexible enough to reflect the needs of a specific machine and brand.
HMI Systems’ new 750MDI Media Display Interface brings these capabilities together in a compact, rugged 7-inch touchscreen solution. With daylight-readable graphics, embedded quad core processing, CAN connectivity, and customization options, the 750MDI provides a flexible platform for developing modern operator environments.
Visibility Designed for the Equipment Environment
Clear access to machine information is essential, particularly in demanding industrial and mobile equipment applications. The 750MDI features a bright 7-inch IPS display with 1024 × 600 resolution and 950 cd/m² sunlight-visible brightness. The display also provides a wide viewing angle, helping operators see critical information from multiple positions around the equipment. Combined with a capacitive touchscreen, the 750MDI supports an intuitive interface for viewing information and interacting with machine controls.
A Platform for Customized Graphics and Controls
Every equipment application has its own operating requirements, controls, and visual identity. The 750MDI gives OEMs a foundation for developing display graphics tailored to those needs. Built-in quad-core processing supports responsive, graphics-rich user interfaces. HMI Systems’ free CANcreate software utilities can help OEMs develop and deploy custom display graphics more quickly, while custom bezel options can help manufacturers align the display with their equipment design and brand identity.
The 750MDI supports customization through:
Custom display graphics tailored to the application
Responsive, graphics-rich user interfaces
CANcreate software utilities for display development and deployment
Custom bezel options that support equipment design and brand identity
Connectivity for Modern Equipment Platforms
The 750MDI is designed to integrate into modern vehicle and machine platforms. CAN connectivity supports communication with vehicle and machine control systems, helping OEMs connect the display with the equipment information and controls that operators rely on.
Additional built-in features add flexibility for application development and system monitoring:
USB connectivity
Real-time clock
Internal temperature sensor
Embedded quad-core processing
CAN connectivity for vehicle and machine control systems
Rugged Construction for Demanding Conditions
Industrial and mobile equipment interfaces need to perform in environments where dust, water, temperature, and electrical considerations matter. The 750MDI features IP65 protection against dust and water and operates across a temperature range of -20°C to 70°C. It supports 12- and 24-volt nominal systems through a 7–32 VDC input range. Its input power design is also optimized for low electromagnetic interference.
Key specifications include:
7-inch IPS display
1024 × 600 resolution
950 cd/m² sunlight-visible brightness
Capacitive touchscreen
7–32 VDC input range for 12- and 24-volt nominal systems
IP65 protection against dust and water
Operating temperature range of -20°C to 70°C
Bringing the Operator Experience Together
The 750MDI gives OEMs a capable foundation for creating operator interfaces that are clear, responsive, application-specific, and built for demanding equipment environments. By combining a sunlight-readable touchscreen, embedded quad-core processing, CAN connectivity, and rugged IP65 construction, the display helps manufacturers bring critical machine information and controls into one modern interface.
HMI Systems supports OEMs beyond the display itself. With expertise in CAN-based products, custom hardware and software, intuitive design utilities, electronic design, mechanical packaging, assembly, and rapid prototyping, HMI Systems helps customers develop dependable operator interface solutions tailored to their applications.
Wesgarde will showcase marine electrical, control, and connectivity solutions at IBEX 2026, giving boatbuilders and marine OEMs a clear view of components designed for demanding onboard environments.
From circuit protection and switching to custom assemblies and sealed connectivity, Wesgarde’s portfolio helps enhance reliability, safety, and performance across the vessel.
As a national distributor of electromechanical and electronic power components, Wesgarde focuses on power solutions for high-power loads and harsh operating conditions. At the show, the team will highlight practical ways marine engineers and designers can simplify panel design, protect critical systems, and streamline installation using proven products and engineering support.
Littelfuse / Carling Technologies: Circuit Protection and Controls Wesgarde’s IBEX presence will feature Littelfuse / Carling Technologies products that combine robust circuit protection with intuitive control for marine environments.
Key solutions include:
LT-Series Illuminated Toggle Switches — Feature a three-color lighting sequence and neoprene bushing seals for protection against dust and moisture.
AV / AVH-Series Sealed and Anti-Vandal Pushbutton Switches — Offer multiple LED illumination options and ratings up to 30 amps.
A-Series Hydraulic-Magnetic Circuit Breakers — Provide precise operation across full-load applications, including sealed metal toggle options for harsh conditions.
C-Series Hydraulic-Magnetic Circuit Breakers — Deliver high-amperage and high-voltage capability with extensive agency approvals.
These components help designers build marine panels that are easy to operate while meeting strict safety and environmental requirements.
RW Integrated Solutions (RWIS): Custom Marine Assemblies Wesgarde will also highlight RW Integrated Solutions (RWIS), formerly Wesgarde Value-Added, which provides custom electrical assemblies and light manufacturing services for marine applications.
RWIS capabilities include:
Pad printing and laser etching for custom legends and labels
Mechanical and electromechanical assembly
Wire and cable harness assembly
Custom kitting and box builds
Projects such as multi-circuit relay boards, key switch assemblies, and multi-speed windshield wiper switch assemblies demonstrate how RWIS delivers turnkey solutions tailored to specific marine needs.
For boatbuilders and OEMs, this translates to shorter build times and assemblies engineered for moisture resistance, vibration resistance, and long-term durability.
CIT Systems: Rugged Pushbuttons On the switching side, Wesgarde will spotlight CIT Systems, including the AH Series pushbutton switches designed for marine control panels.
The AH Series offers:
19 mm vandal-resistant actuators with IP67 sealing
Ring or dot illumination with multiple color options
Stainless steel SUS316L construction and sealed wire assemblies
These attributes make CIT pushbuttons well suited for helm stations and auxiliary panels, where clear indication and long service life are critical.
HMI Systems: Keypads and Displays To support advanced operator interfaces, Wesgarde will present HMI Systems’ programmable keypads, switch panels, and CAN-based display modules.
Standard keypads use high-quality silicone and can be laser-etched with custom legends, icons, or logos, enabling semi-custom marine control surfaces without the need for bespoke tooling.
Paired with multicolor LED rocker modules and touch displays, these solutions provide backlit controls and graphical interfaces for:
Propulsion
Lighting
Accessory management
These solutions maintain robust sealing while supporting reliable network integration.
Molex: Sealed Connectivity Onboard Connectivity is another key focus for Wesgarde at IBEX 2026, with Molex technologies providing sealed, high-reliability power and data connections.
Highlighted products include:
M12 Data Connectors and Cable Assemblies — Designed for Fast Ethernet connectivity in compact, IP67-rated configurations.
Squba 1.80 mm and 3.60 mm Sealed Wire-to-Wire Connector Systems — UL-approved and rated up to 14.0 A.
These solutions support onboard networks, sensors, power distribution, and signaling, helping boatbuilders design rugged, space-efficient marine electrical architectures.
Why Visit Wesgarde at IBEX 2026 For boatbuilders, marine engineers, and OEMs, Wesgarde’s IBEX 2026 exhibit brings together:
Circuit protection
Switching
Keypads and displays
Sealed connectivity
Custom assembly capabilities
Engineering support
By offering a cohesive ecosystem of components and engineering expertise, Wesgarde helps simplify design decisions and improve the reliability of marine electrical systems from helm to engine room.
Fifty years ago, in 1976, Wesley Theodore Sorenson launched Wesgarde as a small group of individual warehouses selling a handful of switch products to customers who needed dependable power components and responsive service. What began as a modest, family‑owned venture quickly became something bigger: a trusted distribution partner for engineers and OEMs in harsh environments.
By the mid‑1980s, Wesgarde had entered a new phase of expansion, adding locations and dozens of new manufacturing partners to its line card. Those years reshaped the company from a collection of warehouses into a focused, independent wholesale distributor of electromechanical and electronic power components, laying the groundwork for the 50‑year milestone being celebrated today.
Five Decades of Growth, Specialization and Service
Over the last 50 years, Wesgarde has steadily evolved its expertise around “power” components, specializing in robust DC and AC solutions, sealed components, advanced circuit protection and custom‑engineered assemblies designed for harsh environments and high‑power loads. This sustained focus has allowed the company to build a differentiated niche, even as many competitors have remained broader, general‑line distributors.
Today, the numbers behind that 50‑year journey tell a powerful story:
● 5 locations across the United States
● Over 110 employees supporting OEMs nationwide
● More than 100 franchised manufacturers represented on Wesgarde’s line card
These milestones reflect decades of investing in people, sharpening technical knowledge and building long‑term relationships with customers and suppliers.
Engineered to Deliver™, Then and Now
From the beginning, Wesgarde has been more than a source of parts; it has been a technical partner for engineers and purchasing teams facing tough design and supply‑chain challenges. Over 50 years, the company has built a reputation for helping customers specify innovative components, find alternatives when lead times are challenging and develop custom assemblies for unique projects. Throughout its history, Wesgarde’s highly technical staff works with the engineering teams of their customers to solve complex problems efficiently.
The tagline Engineered to Deliver™ captures the promise that has guided Wesgarde through its first five decades. It reflects a commitment to value‑added engineering support, rapid response and a sales team that knows electromechanical products inside and out.
Looking Ahead to the Next 50 Years
As Wesgarde celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company is also looking ahead. Its reputation for supply‑chain strength, including vendor managed inventory programs, continues to grow as OEMs seek partners who can help optimize inventory, improve lead‑time reliability and streamline logistics. At the same time, Wesgarde is accelerating its digital marketing and e‑commerce capabilities so customers can engage however and whenever they prefer.
From a few small warehouses selling switch products to a national distributor of choice for electromechanical and interconnect products and services, Wesgarde’s first 50 years have been defined by technical excellence, family leadership and unwavering dedication to customer success. With that foundation in place, the company is poised to make the next half‑century even more impactful for its customers, suppliers and employees.
Wesgarde attended the 2026 ERA Conference with a clear purpose, to align its growth strategy with the latest trends in communication, semiconductors, and AI across the rep–manufacturer–distributor channel.
Connecting Strategy and Customer Relationships
Wesgarde is actively shifting from relying primarily on outside sales to a more complementary model that combines field sales, digital marketing, and thought leadership.
A few of Wesgarde’s strategic reasons for attending included:
● Strengthening relationship-based selling with more intentional, “sticky” communication.
● Gathering ideas to support content, PR, and digital campaigns that highlight engineering value.
●Bringing back best practices to help inside and outside sales collaborate more effectively.
The effective communication keynote was especially relevant. It reinforced that communication is the lifeblood of sales and challenged attendees to become more memorable and unique in every interaction. For Wesgarde, this validated its commitment to pair technical problem-solving with human-centered communication, encouraging the team to lead with curiosity, ask better questions, and listen to understand customers before offering solutions.
Grounding Plans in Real Market Data
Another core reason for attending was to anchor planning in realistic market data. The semiconductor industry outlook session confirmed that, after a difficult 2023–2024, the market began recovering in April 2025 and has delivered ten months of volume-driven growth. Edgewater Research projected a 9% market increase for 2026 after excluding memory and heavy computing, with the strongest growth expected in Defense & Military, HVAC, and Industrial markets.
For Wesgarde’s core verticals, this translated into several important signals:
● Interconnect growth projected at 11%, reinforcing the importance of engineered connection solutions.
● Increased activity in commercial HVAC, often linked to data center projects that depend on robust power components.
● Continued opportunity in transportation and industrial applications that require rugged DC and AC solutions, sealed connectors, and advanced circuit protection.
These insights help Wesgarde fine-tune inventory priorities, supplier emphasis, and content topics so its engineering and sales teams can better support OEMs as demand evolves.
Exploring AI to Support an Engineering-Driven Sales Model
Wesgarde also attended ERA to better understand how AI can practically support its sales and marketing efforts. In the AI industry discussion, manufacturers, distributors, and reps shared how they use tools such as Claude AI, Notebook LM, and Gamma AI to research accounts, prepare for meetings, and build presentations more efficiently. An ERA member survey highlighted time savings, faster customer response development, and improved research capabilities as the top benefits of AI adoption, while also noting concerns about internal knowledge gaps, unclear ROI, privacy, and willingness to adopt.
Key AI themes that resonated with Wesgarde were:
● Using AI to enhance, rather than replace, its engineering-driven, relationship-based models.
● Applying AI for research, preparation, and content support so teams can respond faster and more precisely.
● Moving toward clearer internal guidance on AI to balance innovation with data protection and compliance.
These themes align with Wesgarde’s balanced approach to innovation and emphasizes the team’s commitment to exploring AI in ways that deepen understanding of customer applications and enable clearer communication. Wesgarde’s ERA takeaway is clear, the best never stop sharpening their edge. By leaning into fresh thinking on communication, market dynamics, and AI, Wesgarde is strengthening the engineering rigor, responsiveness, and partnership that already set it apart as a go‑to distributor for demanding OEMs.