When we entered the lawn mower business 28 years ago, it was not our strategy or grand plan to create a Walker Mower family. And yet with our approach to business (family style) and with the drive to be most interested in people and relationships, a family has been formed.
The Walker Mower, as a product, has become the medium for bringing together a wonderful group of people, literally from around the world. To us, all of the people who have a connection to the Walker Mower are “in” the family; the family includes suppliers, factory employees, distributors, dealers and end-customers who buy and use the Walker Mower.
Since the beginning, as we have traveled and met people associated with the Walker Mower, we began to see a special camaraderie among Walker people. For example, I have attended some dealer open house events where Walker owners who were competitors in the lawn maintenance business were having a good time talking, joking and swapping stories, and it seemed to be happening, at least in part, because they were drawn together by the Walker Mower (just like HarleyDavidson drivers are drawn together). Imagine the fun and fellowship of meeting people from California to New York, Europeans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders… all who are your “relatives” in the Walker family.
Seeing all of this, we began to dream about bringing the family together to celebrate producing the 50,000th mower in August 2000; it was natural to call the event the “Walker Family Reunion”. Around 1,900 family members came to the factory and we had a great time. If you are wondering what you missed, ask someone who was there or take a look at the reunion section on www.walkermowers.com.
Now we are planning “Family Reunion 2” to be held August 1-2, 2008 when the 100,000th Walker rolls off the line. While we will never be able to duplicate the experience of the first reunion, we have been working since early 2007 to plan for the next celebration, planning to make it an unforgettable time for all who come. Many of you who are faithful readers of Walker Talk should plan to come. We announced the date early so you could get it on your calendar, and personal plans could be made. I want to give you my personal invitation; I want to shake your hand as you walk in the gate and say, “Welcome to the family reunion” and “Thank you for your part in the Walker Mower story”.
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