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Who is WCW Inc.?
By Bea Peterson
Take a walk through the almost finished new quarters of WCW with company Chairman John W. Wilkinson and in a moment he'll sweep you up in his enthusiasm for his products. WCW is a medical, consumer and hospitality specialty bedding company. Since moving into its first building on Route 22 in Hoosick in 1998, WCW has experienced phenomenal growth. The latest move is into the long vacant Isola building on Mechanic Street in Hoosick Falls. When we first looked at this building we expected to move our entire operation into it, he says. Now the company finds itself in a position where it will continue to use the three buildings on Route 22 as well.
We've realized tremendous growth, says Wilkinson who began his career in the bedding industry in 1982 when he started Healthflex in Bennington, VT. That was an entirely different company from WCW, he says. He sold it in 1992 but continued to work with the new owners for three years. In 1998 he began WCW in Bennington. When space became available in Hoosick for the growing business, he moved it here. This is a very industry friendly community, he says. Officials have worked very well with us
The company had 27 employees when it began production in the building behind the Falls Diner. In 2001 it expanded into two more buildings, across from McDonalds, and in 2003 additions were put on both complexes.
The former Isola building has 100,000 square feet of space and the Route 22 buildings combined give the company another 75,000 square feet. We gobble up space, says Wilkinson. We anticipate this new building is not large enough, and we will need more space within the next 12 months.
We're growing about 40% each year, he says. The company currently has 140 employees. I anticipate we'll need perhaps another 100. The growth is attributable to the company's patented bedding and its expansion from medical into consumer and hospitality products. Their bedding is distributed through KCI, a company with 3,000 employees worldwide. Forty percent of our medical surfacing products are exported to 35 countries, says Wilkinson. KCI recently negotiated a contract with Canada to convert its 485 hospitals to WCW products over the next five years. Another very large contract now underway is with an international hospitality chain, and WCW will be shipping its products throughout North America. All of their products are back ordered.
Growth Not Easy
Growth is not easy, says Wilkinson of his family based business. We're not without our challenges, and we recognize that. Wilkinson, his wife, two sons and daughter are part of the company's management team. Besides being Chairman of the company, John W. Wilkinson is involved with Research and Development (R&D). Jeffrey C. Wilkinson is company President. John C. Wilkinson, VP Manufacturing and R&D, Jean O. Wilkinson, VP Corporate Development, while Carla W. Bellemere is VP of Quality Control and a Marketing Advisor. Those on the Management Team who are not family include Chuck Blair, Dave Kondej, Mike Merwin, David Tilley and Brooke Williams.
WCW is currently expanding its middle management. We're looking internally where we can, says Wilkinson. The company offers many multiple level opportunities. WCW is also moving its Marketing Division from New Jersey to Hoosick. Those employees will be relocated to offices on Route 22.
Unique Product
WCW has patented a mattress with a unique, non-electric powered, dynamic pressure relieving system utilizing atmospheric pressure and gravity as the energy source. Contained within the mattress is a patented system of dynamic air cylinders and one way pressure relief valves that allow air to escape maximizing body weight displacement. The patented air valves automatically adjust the air volume in each of the 18 cylinders in the mattress, providing ideal support for each part of the body. A control on either size of a double or larger mattress lets each individual set a different firmness level. The foam encased cylinders have a three inch contouring foam topper with a 100% all natural Australian virgin wool washable cover. Solid comfort!
It's perfect for hospitals, says Wilkinson. The mattress adjusts to each new patient, and it's extremely comfortable for the bed bound. WCW uses the same technique for specialty seating for wheelchairs.
All Made In House
Raw materials for WCW products are trucked to Hoosick. The products are begun and completed in house. Foam cutting is done in one building. Wool and fabric is cut and sewn in another. The urethane air cells are radial frequency welded (sealed) in the new plant. The final coverings and the packaging are also done in the new plant. Every day long lines of boxed mattresses are stacked on end ready for shipping.
WCW is an environmentally friendly and clean business, Wilkinson says proudly. We have no by-products. We recycle everything.
Moving into the consumer market was a natural next step. For consumer products available from WCW, check out emattress.com.
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Copyright 2001@ The Petersburgh Press. All rights reserved.
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