Walker Summer Golf Challenge 2012

Fayetteville - The Walker Summer Golf Challenge was a huge success with 18 teams rounding out the competition, June 16. Many were new players, including five ladies: Jennifer Fleming, Josie Travis, Amy Canada, Pat Miller and Judy Gore.
First place went to: Keith Briggs, Jimmy Blaylock, Mike Lowe and Dave Blaylock; Second place: Nathan Anderson, Ryan Welch, Ernie George and Bruce Miller; and Third to: Russ Bond, Steve Fitzwater, Adam Gwinn and Kevin Gwinn. Longest drive went to Nathan Anderson; Closest to the pin went to two players: Rich Tetrick and Walter Clark.

Relay for Life 2012 Wrap-Up

June 8, 2012

With six weeks to go before the Relay we decided we had better get busy. We had $0 dollars with 5 people on the team. At the end of the 6 weeks, 15 more people joined our Team and
we not only reached our goal of $1,500.00 but we exceeded our goal and raised $1,672.25.
The theme for this year’s Relay was “Purple Passion”. “Walkers for a Cure” theme was “Purple Paradise”. The Relay for Life in Kanawha County celebrated 20 years. We all had a good time and enjoyed the evening. The weather was perfect this year (no rain) for the Luminary ceremony!
The Walkers for a Cure (comprised of Walker employees and friends) would like to thank everyone who contributed to this wonderful event, whether it was by making a donation, purchasing a luminary bag, purchasing a foot print, participating in the 50/50 drawings, making and purchasing our baked goods, buying tickets for our quilt raffle and to those who participated in the event. A special thanks to our Company for providing the tent, chairs and tables and their Sponsorship.
We also want to thank Vicki Smith, Suzy Bird, Anita Layton and Jennifer Shanklin for bringing baked goods to the Relay to sell.
Alan Pugh won the quilt raffle. A special thanks to Jessica Hustead for making the quilt.
Karen Sigman won the basket of Avon products (valued at $150.00) that was raffled off at the event. A special thanks to Pat Miller who took care of the 50/50 raffles this year. Winners of the 50/50 drawings were Alan Pugh, on May 18; Rick Turley, on June 1; and Chris Carpenter, on June 8.
We will be getting ready for our next Relay in January 2013. Go ahead and mark your calendars and plan on joining the Team. We want more people and are going to set higher goals. Join the fight against cancer! If you have any suggestions or ideas on making Relay 2013 an even better success, we would love to hear from you. If you have a special talent, such aswoodworking or crafts, you could make and donate for raffles, just let us know.
With your help we can do this!
Thanks again to all of you and the Relay participants; we are helping to create a world with more birthdays – a world where cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life.
Check out our Team’s home page for Relay for Life. http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=41004&team_id=1090367
Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. ACS is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Machine Rebuild Takes a Village

June 8, 2012

From left: Field mechanics Joe Counts and Dexter Jones just completed a Cat Certified Rebuild, in Belle.


BELLE - Walker Machinery Company’s Complete Rebuild Department stays very busy.
It takes more than one crew to keep up with the demand, according to Field Mechanic Dexter Jones.
In the past year, Walker has rebuilt more than 20 machines. Out of those, eight - 10 are core machines purchased by the used equipment department, specifically for rebuild.
Rebuilds normally take from six to eight weeks, as it is a very thorough process, including cleaning and checking every single bolt. And each rebuild takes a village. The latest, a D11R track-type tractor rebuilt by Jones and Field Mechanic Joe Counts, was recently sold. This machine was a Cat Certified Rebuild, meaning it received a brand new serial number with a full warranty.
“We want them to be better than new and in many cases they are, but with considerable savings,” Jones said.
According to Jones, this machine was torn down to a bare frame for welders Dwayne Snodgrass and Matt Namay to work on frame welding and sheet metal. The numerous parts required were ordered by Joe Armstrong and Chris Miller. Valves were rebuilt and the hydraulic cylinders were sent to Walker’s Beckley store. All power train components were rebuilt in the power train shop. After the machine was reassembled it ran for at least a full 10-12 hour shift, for testing. From there, the machine was painted by Kenneth Mitchell.
“He does a really good job painting,” Jones said. “He makes it look good.”
During rebuilds, the used equipment department checks frequently on the process in case the mechanics have questions. When rebuilding machines for customers, the customers are brought in, throughout the process, to see how thorough the mechanics work and to answer questions the mechanics have.
“Sometimes, they may not want a component changed, a counterweight or ripper installed, or they may or may not want an auto lube put back on a loader,” Jones said.
According to Counts, the machines leave Walker brand new. He likes the challenge of making them that way.
“I like the end result,” he said. “It’s not like changing a part on a machine. You can see the results of a machine coming in, in very bad shape and leaving as brand new.”

Friends of Coal show Walker support at Local Business

May 8, 2012

Deborah Turley recently competed in a company-wide competition, where her team was given coal and black as the themes to decorate a room. Deborah is Rick Turley's wife. Rick is Walker's Preventive Maintenance Coordinator in Belle.


CHARLESTON – Frontier Communication employees gave Walker Machinery Co. a chance to shine in a recent competition.
A Hunger Games Sales Competition, based on the movie, took place between the Frontier Communications Consumer Teams in the Charleston office. Teams were given a color and a theme and were asked to decorate their rooms accordingly. During the competition, teams were given chances to accumulate additional points, and a chance to win $500.
Deborah Turley was one of the competitors, employed at the Frontier Center for Customers with Disabilities. When her team was given its color and theme - black and coal - it was handy that she is married to Rick Turley, Walker’s Preventive Maintenance Coordinator, in Belle.
Rick enthusiastically gathered up any coal mining art and promotional items he could find, at Walker, and in turn – Walker was given a nice nod.
The results of the judging, May 8, gave Deborah’s team the high rank they deserved.
“We took third place out of 12 teams with the help of our Friends of Coal neighbor
Walker Machinery!!!,” she exclaimed.

Bob Farley Retires

April 27, 2012

Bob Farley worked in the Summersville warehouse and has been with Walker since 1970. For full story click here. 

Christmas 2011

Walker Express Nitro

Christmas 2011

Belle

Christmas 2011
Belle Training

Frank Bostic and Bill Stewart Retirement

Dec. 16, 2011

2011 Service Awards

The 2011 Service Award Dinner took place at The Embassy Suites, in Charleston, Nov. 18.

Click here for more photos.