Company History

It was 1946 and the war was over. The diesel engine had proven itself a war hero on land and sea. Our founding president Herb Haneman, Sr., knew that America had a lot of catching up to do. That’s the year he established the original Western Branch Diesel Company at the mouth of the western branch of the Elizabeth River.

Haneman embraced a simple philosophy "provide great service to customers and they’ll stay with you." Funny how the simplest of things are always the most brilliant. In six short years, Haneman’s philosophy paid off. He was awarded the Detroit Diesel distributorship in Virginia.

Along with Mr. Haneman’s superb knowledge of diesel engines came an old fashion work ethic, which said, "You must offer your customers the most respected and proven industrial, commercial, and marine diesel engines and transmissions in the world. Then back up your products with outstanding sales support that’s only surpassed by unerring service."

Over the years Western Branch Diesel (WBD) established locations in Richmond, Manassas (formerly Springfield) and Roanoke, Virginia. In 1987, the firm acquired Call Detroit Diesel Allison, Inc., and expanded its marketing area to include Virginia, West Virginia, and portions of Ohio, Kentucky, Maryland and North Carolina. As recently as 1999 WBD acquired the assets of Norshipco’s retail engine distribution company. This acquisition joined WBD as our Engines1 Marine Division. Engines1 represents products manufactured and sold by Westerbeke Engine Co. and Pleasurecraft Marine’s SeaMaxx Division. Also in 1999 WBD opened a full service branch in Wanchese, North Carolina.

What started, as a marine service facility over a half-century ago is now a one-source resource for the sales and services of Detroit Diesel Engines and Allison Transmissions.
 WBD provides complete sales, service and parts for on-highway trucks, construction equipment, tugboats, fish boats, mining and oil drilling equipment and generator sets. The range of engine power runs the spectrum from 6 to 4000 horsepower. WBD also represents the complete line of Allison on and off highway transmissions.

Western Branch Diesel knew the importance of good training when we opened our first training school in 1966. Now with the advent of advanced electronic technology in diesel operation, training becomes more vital than ever. Our in depth on-site training provides our dealer network and customers timely, up-to-date expertise to effectively handle equipment maintenance and overhauls. In 1997, we introduced our popular and ingenious mobile training unit, which travels directly to our branch locations, dealers, and customers.

Today, our family owned and operated business continues to adhere to our original charter, "we must first earn our customers’ trust before we can ever earn their business."

When it comes to all your diesel engine and transmission requirements we hope you will continue to rely on Western Branch Diesel. In return, we pledge to continue providing you with the best equipment and service available. All supported with yesterday’s values, today’s solutions and tomorrow’s technology.

Herb Haneman, Jr., and a staff of 300 talented and committed professionals continues the tradition established by Mr. Haneman, Sr. who founded Western Branch Diesel over a half century ago.

As one of the largest Detroit Diesel and Allison distributorships in the East, WBD is big enough to serve you…. yet remains small enough to know you.

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