WELSCO, Inc. was originally found-ed in 1941 as Welders Supply Company by R.G. Harrison, with the backing of his father, when he returned from World War II. Eighty years later, the company remains in the Harrison family, with Angela E. Harrison serving as the company’s Chair and CEO, the fourth generation of the family to serve.
The company has enjoyed slow and steady growth over years, including strategic acquisitions when appropriate.
“We have also been willing to invest in services that benefit our customers, including specialists in automation, repair, bulk and lab gases,” says COO Adam Kohler. “In addition, our CWI is one of the absolute best in the industry.”
Today, WELSCO has 16 locations, including 14 retail stores, a cryogenic distribution hub and its corporate office. The company is comprised of 127 employees. Like many companies, WELSCO is hungry to expand its employee base and looks forward to the workforce returning to normal.
“We will continue to grow and expand into new markets, constantly looking for opportunities where they exist,” Kohler says. “While there is much more competition now, there has also been so much consolidation over the decades. We view all change as an opportunity for us to expand our customer base, particularly as it relates to mergers and acquisitions amongst our competitors.”
While COVID has put a damper on the company’s celebration plans, WELSCO is excited for its annual Arkansas Welding Expo event in December, where it hopes to be able to have a proper anniversary celebration.
“We appreciate the loyalty of our customers, employees, family and friends who have helped us have so much success over these last 80 years,” says Kohler. “We look forward to what comes over the next 80 years.”
