Ohmite Manufacturing
Experts in Custom-Designing and Manufacturing Resistors

In a bid to aid cardiac patients, a visionary medical device innovator embarked on a journey to create a wearable defibrillator. This ingenious device could tune into a patient’s heartbeats, transferring real-time data to doctors for prompt preventive care. Should a heart attack strike, the device would provide automated defibrillation, ensuring the heart returns to its rhythm.

However, a hurdle emerged in the product development journey—a resistor, pivotal to the defibrillator’s capabilities, was unavailable in the market. Slim yet powerful, it had to fit in the wearable size while withstanding a high-impulse electric surge when needed.

Needing an innovative resistor, they collaborated with Ohmite Manufacturing, a firm renowned for producing custom resistors. Ohmite chose a thick film resistor from their arsenal of products, tailored it for compact power, and made it surface-mountable, enabling seamless integration into the wearable defibrillator. This collaborative effort created a life-saving product, benefiting countless cardiac patients.

“We are the ultimate destination for bespoke resistors. What seems impossible to others, we craft to perfection,” says Joseph Misulonas, global marketing manager, Ohmite.

The company provides resistive products for high current, high voltage, and high energy applications. Its inception was over nine decades ago in a modest shop on the west side of Chicago, primarily manufacturing carbon and wire-wound ‘lug’ resistors for the state’s booming radio industry. Since then, it has constantly evolved, upgrading its technology stack and capabilities with the evolving industry, and emerging as a leader in providing a comprehensive complement of resistor construction.

Ohmite specializes in wire-wound, thick film, and ceramic composition power resistors and serves the needs of the expansive industrial machinery, catering to transportation, industrial, medical, military, aerospace, energy, and oil and gas sectors. Featuring 30 to 50 families of customizable resistors, each with thousands of part numbers, it offers a wide array of versatile solutions tailored for diverse applications.

Harnessing its wealth of experience and engineering acumen, Ohmite ensures its resistors constantly meet market needs.

During product development, whether crafting stable and precise wire-wound resistors, potent thick film resistors for elevated voltage and resistance requisites, or high-energy ceramic resistors, team Ohmite makes regular visits to client facilities to learn their challenges and stays abreast of market needs. It identifies untapped product areas and resistor specifications from competitors and develops them, enriching its inventory with new products that fit the niche.

When presented with a client’s bespoke resistor needs, its engineers meticulously delve into the intricacies, aligning the requirements with its in-house capabilities to ensure seamless delivery. If any required equipment or machinery is unavailable, Ohmite proactively acquires and integrates those capabilities, crafting the desired product with precision and dedication. Constant investments for process and equipment improvement from its parent company, Heico Companies LLC, a multinational U.S.-based holding company, make this possible.

“Thanks to Heico Companies, we are constantly expanding our capabilities. Recently, we acquired cutting-edge equipment for SOT-227 thick film resistors. In 2024, we aim to have an automotive compliance testing lab,” says Misulonas.

Beyond power resistors, Ohmite manufactures and sells EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) filters, rheostats, heat sinks, and capacitors as well as offers assembly and design services. Through its load bank division, the firm has recently branched out into contract manufacturing, where it is manufacturing and assembling client products in-house.

Ohmite’s client engagement journey commences with a dynamic sales force comprising internal salespeople, regional managers, and seasoned outside reps well-versed in resistor technologies and electronics. Its adept team comprehends client needs, steering them toward optimal choices from its product range. In cases of bespoke solutions, its proficient engineering front is involved. Crafting prototypes, team Ohmite validates functionality in-house and for clients, often in close collaboration with their engineers. Rigorous testing in its cutting-edge facilities ensures product reliability and alignment with client aspirations.

Whether creating new products or providing existing ones, Ohmite’s commitment to excellence thrives, delivering tailored innovation that stands the test of scrutiny.

Over the years, Ohmite has taken on the role of an enabler for clients while creating cutting-edge devices, helping them explore innovative products for their resistor needs. Its commitment to progress persists, with ongoing expansion and technological advancements, ensuring alignment with the dynamic electronic industry’s demands.