By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
A good-sized crowd helped Waltron Trailers Inc. celebrate its 50th anniversary at its open house on Thursday, Nov. 6.
Current and former employees and their families, customers, suppliers and invited guests, as well as local residents and politicians, were on hand for a brief ceremony followed by guided tours and lunch at the same 55 Marsh St. location where Waltron Ltd. opened in 1975.
Walt Spence, an electrician, and the late Ron McLean, a tool and die maker, created Waltron Ltd. to serve the local agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
“There have been a lot of changes over the years since Walt and Ron joined forces to open Waltron Ltd.,” said current Waltron president Bill Loucks. “Walt is the Walt and Ron is the Ron – that’s how they came up with the name.”
What started as one small building in 1975 has expanded to a 30,000 square-foot manufacturing facility with 12 production bays – including a new sandblasting building that opened this spring following a 2024 fire.
“There are a lot more people here today than I remember 50 years ago,” Spence said, comparing Thursday’s crowd to the day Waltron opened. “It was a very small building that cost a lot of money back then.”
Spence said it was hard to believe, looking at the expanded complex that had started from the original, small building.
“I’m very proud of what the people have done with Waltron; it’s come a long way. I congratulate them,” stated Spence. “And I congratulate them for not forgetting a little fella like me and keeping my name on it.”
Waltron evolved into a world-class leader in heavy-duty custom trailer manufacturing, service, and refurbishing, with an experienced and innovative in-house staff that designs, engineers, and manufactures heavy-haul trailers for the agriculture, energy, marine, and infrastructure sectors.
The company name was changed to Waltron Trailers in December 2004 to reflect its focus on building specialty trailers, primarily for the boat-hauling industry.
“Waltron currently builds and refurbishes specialty trailers used in a number of operations, including boat hauling, aerospace, utility, agriculture, construction rental, and salvage work,” said Loucks, who joined the Waltron team in 2004.
“One of our most famous trailers was sold to Sir Richard Branson to haul a rocket in California … it’s quite the trailer to check out on our website.”
Open house guests had the opportunity to see Waltron’s operations on guided tours, during which they spoke with employees about their individual roles with the company.
The guests also saw firsthand the company’s many innovations, including a brand-new roll-off system designed for performance and reliability to meet today’s industry needs.
The dedication and commitment of Waltron’s staff were never more evident than in the Feb.2024 fire that destroyed the sandblasting building and a production bay, resulting in $2 million in total damage.
“The fact that a majority of our staff immediately came to the plant to see if they could help while the fire was still burning is a testament to the dedication and loyalty of our employees,” Loucks said. “I would like to thank each and every one of you for your dedication each and every day.”
The new sandblasting building reopened in March, with a 30,000-square-foot addition to the main building, while a cement parking lot and swale were installed in the wake of the fire. New equipment was also purchased, and capacity was increased to continue developing the company’s product line, including improvements to its roll-off units, which were highlighted to guests during the tour.
“The fire gave us a great opportunity to expand,” said Craig VanGassen, Waltron General Manager. “It gave us a chance to improve and streamline our processes … but it was a very long process.”
VanGassen said that while it has been a little rough the last couple of years, “It’s fantastic to see the progress. I’m glad to see that it’s in such a good state now, and I look forward to what’s to come.”
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff talked about the company and employees’ resilience in the wake of the fire in his address to the open house crowd.
“There’s been a lot of ups and downs with the fire; it’s a testament to your employees how they came out to the fire,” Canniff said. “We at Chatham-Kent are so proud of this organization for everything that you do in our community.”
Canniff presented a plaque “to celebrate 50 years and to look forward to another 50 years.”
East Kent Councillors John Wright and Morena McDonald also attended the ceremony.
“I remember when the first shop was built, I had a small manufacturing business in Ridgetown at the same time,” Wright said. “Ridgetown was a busy place; we were all trying to make Ridgetown much better at the time, and you (Waltron) have done it … look at the number of employees you have here today.”
McDonald congratulated Waltron on an amazing 50 years.
“We’re so excited to see your expansion we’re looking forward to the next 50 years,” she said.
Jim Brown also congratulated Waltron on behalf of the Ridgetown Business Improvement Association.
Brown remembered being at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the original Waltron opening.
“It was almost 50 years to the day, it was Oct. 25, 50 years ago … the road wasn’t even open yet, you were the first ones down here,” Brown said of Waltron’s Marsh St. location. “Waltron’s always been ahead of things. You’re a big part of Ridgetown; you helped put Ridgetown on the map.”
“We appreciate everything that you do and keep up the good work … congratulations,” said Brown.
Loucks thanked all of the vendors, suppliers and customers who have supported Waltron over the 50 years, as well as business partners Max Fantuz and Mike Kilby, Waltron CEO Gunther Haas, who could not attend the anniversary, and Ron McLean’s widow, Diane McLean, who had been a part of the company since the beginning.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded the lunch and tours.