WPI marks centennial, makes leadership changes

Waukesha Pearce Industries (WPI), a leader in the energy, oil and gas, construction, and mining industries, is marking its 100th year as a family-owned business.

Along with the centennial celebration, the company is making leadership changes. Throughout WPI’s 100-year history, four generations have maintained continuous involvement in day-to-day operations, aligning ownership with employee engagement to create a unique and dynamic history and culture with customer service and responsiveness at its core. Following in the footsteps of his father, Louis M. Pearce, Jr. served as WPI’s president for 30 years, from 1946 until 1976, until passing the reins to Louis M. Pearce III, who has now served as the company’s president for almost 50 years. Coinciding with the company’s centennial milestone, Louis M. Pearce III will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, with Louis M. Pearce IV elevated to Division President, Engine Division, and Lloyd R. French IV elevated to Division President, Construction Mining Division.

Louis Pearce IV

“These are exciting times for WPI, and I consider it an honor and privilege to work closely with both the third and fourth generations of the Pearce family as Louis and Lloyd transition into their new roles as Division Presidents for WPI’s Engine and Construction Mining businesses,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert J. Shaffer. “Family involvement in key leadership roles has been a recipe for success since the company’s founding in 1924, and the company’s growth and prosperity over the last century is a testament to the successful partnership between the Pearce family and WPI’s employees.”

Lloyd French IV

Founded in 1924 by Louis M. Pearce, Sr. as an innovative drilling rig manufacturing company, WPI ultimately introduced diesel and gas engines to the oil and gas industry, replacing steam engines on drilling rigs and creating a safer work environment. Building on this spirit of innovation, the company later forged a lasting relationship with Waukesha Engine Co. As a leader in the competitive and demanding drilling rig market segment, WPI earned a reputation as a client-centric company relentlessly focused on customer service. Today, as the world’s largest distributor of Waukesha parts, WPI operates in the lower 48 states, as well as Alaska and Canada. With 1,200 employees, WPI operates branches in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, California, Colorado, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Arkansas, and Rhode Island. In 1955, Louis Pearce Jr. seized the opportunity to establish the construction and mining division. At present, this division has emerged as one of the top-rated Komatsu dealers in the United States, covering the majority of Texas, Louisiana, and five counties in Arkansas.

“WPI is respected in the market as a primary provider of goods and services, and that trust has been earned over the years by cultivating teams of people that have allowed our company to grow and thrive,” said WPI President Louis M. Pearce III. “We are a family business, and we consider our employees and, by extension, our clients, to be part of the WPI family.”

With its early entry into the drilling rig business, the company has a history of adapting and thriving in an ever-changing business environment, and it continues to do so as it enters its next century of operations. With recent acquisitions in the Construction & Mining Division and Engine Division, WPI is positioned to expand its footprint in the industry and continue to provide industry-leading products and service. WPI’s 100th-anniversary celebration marks a century of accomplishments and serves as a launchpad for a future marked by continued excellence, growth, and a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction.

Waukesha Pearce Industries is a leading provider of comprehensive solutions for the energy, oil and gas, compression, and construction industries. The brands it represents; INNIO Waukesha, Generac, Ariel Corporation, Komatsu, Bomag, Senneboggen, NPK, Gradall, Yanmar, Atlas and many other high-profile companies. With a century of experience, the company has built a reputation for excellence, innovation, and a commitment to meeting the unique requirements of its diverse clientele. WPI’s extensive range of products and services reflects its dedication to delivering quality solutions that drive success in the ever-evolving industrial landscape.