WIX Filters: An American Filtration Brand Since 1939

History

WIX Filters was founded on August 1, 1939, in an old cotton mill building in Gastonia, North Carolina, by Jack (John D.) Wicks and his business partner Paul G. Crenshaw. According to the company's own account, the two men needed a reliable supply of pure white cotton waste to use as filtering media and started the business with three employees, two screwdrivers, a pair of pliers and a typewriter. The company grew steadily through the mid-20th century as the American automotive aftermarket expanded, positioning itself around the idea of a replacement filter that was simple for a mechanic — or later, a car owner — to swap out. WIX remained headquartered in Gastonia throughout its growth, and the city is still home to the brand today. In 2016, WIX Filters was folded into the German filtration group MANN+HUMMEL, becoming part of one of the largest filtration-technology companies in the world; the brand continues to operate as a distinct product line within that group rather than being merged into MANN+HUMMEL's own-name range.

What they make

WIX manufactures replacement filters for internal combustion vehicles, covering oil, air, fuel and cabin air filtration, and the company states that it produces more than 210 million filters a year across its facilities. The range spans light vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and agricultural and industrial equipment, reflecting its long-standing focus on the North American light- and heavy-duty aftermarket in particular.

Where they fit — OE vs aftermarket

WIX has built its reputation primarily as an aftermarket replacement-parts brand rather than as an original-equipment supplier, which is different from several European filter brands that also supply factory assembly lines. Its parts are designed to match OE fit and performance specifications, but the company's business model has historically centered on the independent repair and retail channel — auto parts stores, workshops and fleet operators — rather than vehicle manufacturer contracts.

Buying guidance

Because WIX has such a long production history with many superseded part numbers, always cross-reference the filter using your vehicle's year, engine size and, where relevant, the specific trim or emissions package, since older cross-reference charts can be out of date after mergers and part-number consolidations. For newer vehicles, check whether MANN+HUMMEL's own catalog lists an updated equivalent part number, since some ranges have been rationalized since the 2016 acquisition.