At the opening ceremony of Walker Manufacturing’s third family reunion, company president Bob Walker emphasized that it takes a big family to produce and sell 150,000 mowers. It takes dedicated employees and satisfied customers, along with a network of dealers, distributors and suppliers.
The Walker Talk editor had an opportunity to talk with a handful of these extended family members and ask them directly what brought them to the celebration.
“Heard about the event and decided to come out.” – Bill Johnson, a retired municipal worker from Holyoke, Colorado
Bill Johnson retired from Holyoke last year after spending 21 years running one of the city’s four Walker Mowers. He said it took all week to maintain the municipal grounds and that included two days when he would mow around 2,400 cemetery headstones.
“To celebrate.” – Robert Bentley of Bentley Lawn Maintenance in Janesville, Wisconsin
Robert Bentley has been in business 23 years, 20 of which he was operating Walker Mowers. He currently has two employees that help maintain his commercial and residential customer properties. Accompanying Bentley is his wife, Peggy, who keeps the books, and daughter, Heather, one of five part-time workers. In fact, Heather has been working with her dad for 17 years.
“We love the Walker company.” – Harry and Sally Warren, homeowners from Gering, Nebraska
A retired pharmacist, Harry Warren mows a 1.5-acre lawn with, in his words, “a small Walker Mower fitted with a grass-handling deck.” Says Warren, “If I had a different mower, it would take me twice as long to mow the lawn. We would have a Walker Mower no matter what it cost.”
“I wanted to see the Walker family and the factory, and take home a few maintenance tips.” – Glenn and Marilyn Zagorski of Zagorski Landscaping in Parsippany, New Jersey
Glenn Zagorski tore his Achilles 10 years ago. Until then, he always operated walkbehind mowers. Unable to walk for eight weeks, he was worried about losing his business until a friend talked him into buying a Walker Mower. “I wished I had purchased one 10 years earlier,” he recalls. “That one mower replaces two to three employees.” Zagorski has now been mowing lawns for 40 years and just purchased a new Walker Mower.
“To join the party.” – Matt Hird, a five-star dealer from Te Awamutu, New Zealand
His third trip to Fort Collins, Matt Hird says he enjoys working with the Walker family. This year, he brought along a customer to partake in the company’s festivities and hospitality.
“To celebrate and see the factory.” – David and Jonna Schneider, homeowners from Fort Madison, Iowa
A riverboat pilot, David Schneider has owned a Walker Mower for 11 years. He admits to mowing more than his lawn with it. “We live on a cul-de-sac and mow our neighbors’ lawns, too. I just love to mow.”
“To see how and where the Walker Mowers are built.” – Ron Holt, a service writer from Rexburg, Idaho
Ron Holt, who works for Coates Power Equipment, came to Fort Collins with his wife, Michelle. What better way to learn more about the mower than to visit the factory and take a tour?
“I brought the family to enjoy the festivities.” – Eli Korbar, a landscape contractor from Burlington, Colorado
Eli Korbar purchased an existing company that had a Walker Mower. Now he has three. While here, the family took a side trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.
“Definitely a highlight to visit the factory and see how Walker Mowers are built.” – Kory Knutz of Valley Green Landscape in McMinnville, Oregon
Kory Knutz came to the reunion with his dealer, Alex Batten, from Northwest Logging Supply. “I bought my first Walker Mower in 1995 after I saw how it striped lawns,” says Knutz. “I’ve been using them ever since and, at one time, had three. They’re good machines; I admire them and the company’s value system. I guess you can call me a Walker nerd.”
“Feels like home.” – Mike Ramsey, former facilities manager, and Cathy Ramsey from Fort Collins, Colorado
Mike Ramsey is a former facilities manager of the Walker Mower factory. He left his position 10 years ago to free up some time to take care of an ailing family member. “I started out mowing homeowners’ associations, but now concentrate on larger residential properties,” he relates. He currently takes care of 40 customers with two 25-HP Model Ts with Hi-Dumps™.
“To be with like-minded people.” – Daniel and Pamela Sigouin of La Coupe Royale in Terrebonne, Quebec
Daniel Sigouin has been mowing lawns for four years. Two years ago, he met Bob Walker at the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) in Louisville, Kentucky. He tried out a Walker Mower and since purchased two, and is looking for a third one to help maintain his 130 accounts. “We came here to have a good time and be with likeminded people,” says Sigouin. “Everyone here feels like we’re part of a family.”
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