Walker branch comes a long way

Aug. 24, 2011

From left: Walker Machinery Co.'s Summersville Branch Manager
Joe Simpson and Warehouse worker Bob Farley have been working
together since 1975.

SUMMERSVILLE – According to Bob Farley, Walker Machinery Co.’s Summersville Manager Joe Simpson is an interesting person.
Farley works in the warehouse and has been with Walker since 1970.
“I really enjoy Joe because everything about him is quality,” Farley said. “He’s a good man.”
Simpson and Farley have been working together since 1975. Their relationship began when Walker purchased a temporary facility on Main Street, in Summersville, W.Va. It had a small parts department and a few field service people. In addition to the building, it came with a 50’ x 50’ lot out front.
The small branch grew until 1982, when the country went through a recession, Simpson said. It was so slow, for about eight months, the store was closed. Inventory was moved to the Beckley branch and folks were laid off. Unfortunately, Farley was one of the casualties. For a brief time he worked for other companies. He quickly discovered that not all companies are like Walker.
“I have never been asked or even insinuated to do something unethical at Walker Machinery,” Farley said. “It’s always been straight. Be straight with the customer because that is what the customer expects. Reputation is all we have and I hope that never changes.”
Eventually business began increasing due to a rising coal industry, and the Summersville branch was reopened. By 1985, Walker’s business had grown beyond the capacity of its building.
“Coal prices were up,” Simpson said. “At the time, our largest customer was Island Creek Coal. They really ramped up their production and started buying more equipment. And on the heels of that, a couple of other customers started mines in the area.”
The store really began to click and stayed strong. In 2001, Walker purchased the current facility. It came with a much welcomed 11 acres.
“It was a very exciting time for us,” Simpson said. “We could display our equipment and had ample room.”
At the same time they were moving, orders were pulled from inventory at the old store. They completed the move in three days without missing any work, he said. The business grew in a dimensional fashion, Simpson said. And it was no accident; everyone pitched in.
From 1981 through 1997, Simpson was a Product Support Sales Representative and Kenny Stone was the machine salesman.
“He and I beat the brush, everyday, to get the lion’s share of the business in the area,” Simpson said. “We both worked hard at that and the people here - a lot of them are still here, really pulled together.”
In many ways, the industry has changed. Most of the customers have grown from small customers into larger coal giants. Concurrently the store has made some considerable accomplishments, such as earning a prestigious Five Star Contamination Control rating from Caterpillar, Inc. And, although the store has had its hardships, a good rapport was maintained with the customers, Simpson said. They are still working with many of the same individuals who were in the territory 20 years ago, but they now work for different companies.
“Through all these years, they remember the fact that through good times and bad we stuck with them and did what was right,” he said.
This is not something one can fake.
“Our folks understand, if we don’t have customers, we don’t have jobs. They are the most important people who walk through our door,” he said. “That’s been a big part of our success factor. I feel very fortunate to have the group of people we have.”
But for one, time at Walker is up. Farley will retire in April. He has about 150 viburnums that require his desperate botanical attention.
“Joe and I like the good things in life,” he said. “It’s about quality.”

In 1975, Walker Machinery Co. purchased this temporary building, on Main Street, in Summersville. The building was used for 22 years until increased business
caused them to move to their current location on W.Va. 39.