Born in Germany, William (Bill) Carls immigrated to the United States in 1924 at the age of 21. He became a citizen of the United States at the earliest opportunity. Utilizing his years of training and experience in European apprentice programs, he readily found employment with a series of major companies in the active Detroit industrial scene.
Numatics, Inc., headquartered in Highland, Michigan and a leading worldwide manufacturer of industrial air valves, was started in his garage in 1945. Bill Carls became the sole owner in 1951, and was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Numatics, Inc. until 1990 when, at the age of 87, he sold the Company to the corporation’s management executives.
In 1953 he patented a unique spool-and-sleeve pneumatic valve design, still in use today. The cushioning effect allows the valve to operate longer, more consistently and with fewer breakdowns than other existing conventional valves. The air valve is used worldwide in manufacturing everything from automobiles, to textiles, to zippers.
Bill Carls always shared credit for the success of Numatics with his first wife Marie. Bill and Marie settled in White Lake Township and lived there for more than 50 years. Marie Carls Foundation was established in 1961 and was utilized by Bill and Marie Carls to implement their charitable activities. Until the time of her death, the activities of the Foundation were the primary responsibility of Marie Carls. Later Bill took an active role until is death in 1995.
Mr. Carls considered his funding of the Foundation as a way to return benefits to his community and country, and as an expression of his appreciation for the great opportunities which America afforded him. Close acquaintances of Mr. Carls also observed that there were many instances of unobtrusive, private acts of generosity by him for the benefit of friend, employees and their families, and others in need.
The Foundation shortened its name to the Carls Foundation in 1992. The Trustees recognize that The Carls Foundation is a continuing illustration of Bill and Marie Carls’ lifetime of generosity.