Wilkerson was able to purchase the property in mid-June and Wilkerson's own employee-family prepared and refurbished the building for our move-in. Wilkerson had a number of spare and surplus machines in Crewe that were not affected by the fire, but needed a number of additional machines and some tooling fabrication in order to operate our new factory. Thanks to our partners and friends in the retreading industry and community, we were able to obtain the crucial equipment that we lacked in order to set-up the new factory. On July 26th, Wilkerson relocated the administration offices and began taking calls, shipping and receiving in the new location. On August 13th, Wilkerson retreaded the first tires at the new location and began 24 hour operations on Monday August, 16th.
Thanks to much hard work, prayers, careful planning, and help from the local community and aviation community, Wilkerson has been able to take care of its customers and employee-family through this harrowing ordeal and recovery process. Even though this fire was life-changing and devastating, it has resulted in many extra blessings for our family. First, we have a renewed sense of gratitude for the many blessings God has put in our lives (many in the form of people and relationships) and second, we have realized the many new possibilities that the new facility offers for Wilkerson to serve the aviation community that were not previously possible.
Going into 2022, Wilkerson's 75th year in business, Wilkerson owes a lot of "thankyou's" to the many airlines, flight schools, operators, and private customers who have been our partners for many years and even decades. We are grateful for the company legacy of integrity, good customer service, "the customer is always right", and simply treating people as you would like to be treated, that was born-into the company when my grandparents founded it in 1947. This legacy has been built upon by Bill and Jim Wilkerson (2nd generation) and now Bill Jr., Sara, and Jayne (3rd generation). Even with all the reflection over the 75th year in business and the wonderful foundation that has been laid, we are looking at this 75th year as a new beginning for Wilkerson, much like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. As we look to the future of Wilkerson, we aspire to reach new customers, offer more services, reach new markets, offer ever-rising levels of quality and value, and to continue to treat people the way we would like to be treated.
God Bless,
Bill Wilkerson Jr.