Walco Electric - 80 Years Strong and Growing

Director Bennett takes guided tour, meets workers.

After 80 years on Providence's Allens Avenue, Walco Electric/Dolphin Measurements continues to grow. Owner President Ellis Waldman, following in the footsteps of his father and founder of the company, led Director James S. Bennett on a guided tour of his 40,000 square foot facility today, pointing out the wide range of products and services the company provides - including a highly-innovative metals tool, funded under the Providence Economic Development Partnership.

Among those Bennett met were dozens of machinists , welders and industrial software engineers.

Manager of three distinct but interactive business groups - industrial and power service, rail transportation, and automotive and controls - Waldman is finding new markets and opportunities here and abroad. From Russia to Mexico to South Korea, the demands for his innovative tools and products is increasing. From upgrading obsolete equipment, to repairing engine parts, to the most sophisticated re-tooling, Waldman says there is real demand in the economy. "I'm flat out…this has been one of my best years," he said.

"We grew up on service…We can make it happen," Waldman says, and that's the key to success.

His 100-employee company, which has 3 round-the-clock shifts 5 days a week, has responded to changing markets as industry and the economy dictated. From doing simple- to the most complicated motor repairs, to building engines, gear boxes for rail lines from here to Cleveland and south to Washington DC, to outfitting oil rigs and servicing the Navy shipyards in the 60's and early 70's, Walco has found the where the demand is. And it's his plan to innovate for years to come.

"This is exactly the kind of innovative manufacturing Providence has earned its international reputation for - it's creative, adaptive and in high-demand," said James Bennett. "We are pleased to help our local businesses get to this next step."

Two years ago, the Providence Economic Development Partnership awarded his business, a loan, to build a prototype machine known as Dolphin Measurements, to measure and cut, with incredible accuracy, the depth of different sheet metals. Using a patented electromagnetic process, developed in partnership with MIT, Waldman has a tool that companies are already asking for - and it is almost ready to roll.

Waldman expects this new invention to be ready for widespread development within the next six months. We'll be there as it happens.