Like any good driver, we take the opportunity to peek into the rearview mirror every so often. Doing so helps us appreciate the miles we have traveled—like remembering that single row house in North Philly, where CARDONE first set up shop in 1970. It also leads us to reflect on our six employees who opened the doors with us. And it gently reminds us that those windshield wiper motors, the only product line we remanufactured at the time, are closer than they sometimes appear.
Then we look ahead. And we are excited by what we see. The future stretches out before us because of our strong commitment to family, tradition, values, and quality—ideals lived out every day by our founders Michael Cardone Sr. and son, Michael Cardone Jr., and now shaped by our president, Michael Cardone III.
These four words, guided by our healthy desire to honor God in everything we do, define all aspects of who we are as a company—from the people we hire to the service we provide. It’s this long history of excellence that drives our philosophy and the way we work on a daily basis.
MICHAEL CARDONE SR. FOUNDED CARDONE INDUSTRIES, BUILDING THE COMPANY INTO THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRIVATELY OWNED REMANUFACTURER OF AUTOMOTIVE PARTS.
“Our aggressive growth plan has taken us a long way from that row house in North Philadelphia. But our culture still reflects that small business, familial mentality that was imprinted on the company at its inception.”
As we continue to build upon this rich heritage, CARDONE enjoys a culture forged by openness and fueled by a unified belief that the quality of our products and services is the most important issue to our customers.
For us to accomplish our mission of being the best remanufacturer in the world, we must keep our eyes on the road that got us here in the first place, while at the same time being ready to corner the curves that most certainly lie ahead.
After decades of producing quality automotive parts and services the world over, CARDONE has established unforgettable markers on the road to our success. These are just a few we have passed along the way.
Michael Cardone Sr. opens CARDONE Industries in a Philadelphia storefront with six people.
Distributor and Power Steering product lines are introduced.
Plants two through 10 open. CARDONE Factory Family grows to 250 members.
CARDONE Factory Family doubles to 500 members.
Plant 11 opens in the Rising Sun complex.
Caliper product line is introduced.
Plants 18 and 19 open at the American Street complex.
Plant 20 opens on Chew Street.
Total Quality Performance System is launched in the business.
The CARDONE Factory Family numbers 1,950.
In February, CARDONE Industries becomes the first remanufacturer in the United States to achieve TS16949 certification.
CARDONE opens facilities in Matamoras, Mexico.
Second Canadian Distribution Center opens in Edmonton, Alberta.
CARDONE opens facilities in Harlingen, Texas.
In November, CARDONE launches Innovation Department focused on creating new products that bring affordable supply and quality solutions to the aftermarket.
After years of producing quality automotive parts and services the world over, CARDONE has established quite a few mile markers on our road to success. These are just a few we have passed along the way.
In the early 1970s, Detroit and the Big Three are atop the car manufacturing world. Ford elects Lee Iacocca as president, while GM appoints Leon Sullivan as their first African-American board member.
In 1974, President Richard Nixon signs legislation that limits all highway speeds to 55 miles per hour. Later that year, he becomes the first U.S. president to resign.
As the 1980s approach, Detroit manufacturers begin to struggle as more consumers turn to compact cars, such as the Austin Metro and the Volkswagen Golf. VW Golf 1 by Sven Storbeck.
In 1984, Chrysler introduces the Dodge Caravan, which has now been in production for over 30 years.
In 1986, the world mourns when the Space Shuttle Challenger explodes after launch, killing all seven astronauts aboard.
In 1988, the Hubble Space Telescope is launched, the first transatlantic fiber optic cable is laid, and Stephen Hawking publishes A Brief History Of Time.
In 1992, McClaren F1 is introduced. The vehicle later sets the record for the world's fastest production car. Mclaren F1 by PSParrot
In 1994, the Channel Tunnel between England and France opens after 6 years under construction. This modern marvel extends over 30 miles. Channel Tunnel NRM by Xtrememachineuk
In 1997, the Thrust SSC, dubbed "the Supersonic Car," breaks the world land speed record by driving over 763 miles per hour. Thrustssc.team.750pix
In 2001, the United States is attacked by terrorists and experiences the single largest loss of life from a foreign attack on American soil. Both World Trade Towers collapse. World Trade Center" by Jeffmock
In early 2005, a European spacecraft lands on the Saturn moon Titan. Back on Earth, the fastest commercial production car is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, which boasts a quad-turbocharged W16 engine. Volkswagen W16 by Florian Lindner (User:SuperFloh)
From 2007 to 2009, the world experiences a financial crisis. Many companies, including major auto manufacturers, lay off thousands. Lehman Brothers by David Shankbone
In 2013, Tesla reports their first quarterly profit as other car manufacturers continue to ramp up their electric car efforts.
In 2015, CARDONE celebrates 45 years of dreaming, creating, and engineering some of the finest parts in the industry.
All attributed photos above fall under:
CC BY 2.0 via Commons,
CC BY 2.5 via Commons,
Attribution via Commons,
CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.
Michael Cardone Sr. opens CARDONE Industries in a Philadelphia storefront with six people.
Distributor and Power Steering product lines are introduced.
Plants two through 10 open. CARDONE Factory Family grows to 250 members.
CARDONE Factory Family doubles to 500 members.
Plant 11 opens in the Rising Sun complex.
Caliper product line is introduced.
Plants 18 and 19 open at the American Street complex.
Plant 20 opens on Chew Street.
Total Quality Performance System is launched in the business.
The CARDONE Factory Family numbers 1,950.
In February, CARDONE Industries becomes the first remanufacturer in the United States to achieve TS16949 certification.
CARDONE opens facilities in Matamoras, Mexico.
Second Canadian Distribution Center opens in Edmonton, Alberta.
CARDONE opens facilities in Harlingen, Texas.
In November, CARDONE launches Innovation Department focused on creating new products that bring affordable supply and quality solutions to the aftermarket.
Join us as we take on the future.
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Unless otherwise attributed, all images are Copyright © CARDONE Industries.
Content sourced from the CARDONE Industries archives, team members, and the book
Business with Soul by Michael Cardone Jr. unless otherwise noted.
