History
Walker's Electric 2000 has gone through several moves and changes in its long history to become the company it is today.
It all started back in 1935, when Edwin Walker first moved to Midland. He was an electrician by trade hoping to work
for the new Ontario Hydro regional office that was to open in 1936. Instead, he went to work for himself by starting an electrical contracting
business called Ed Walker out of his home on Mildred Street. He successfully landed a government contract to wire warships. Fairmiles
and minesweepers were built at the Midland Boats Works, Penetang Grew Boats, and the Honey Harbour Shipyard. Ed Walker wired them with
a large crew of up to 60 men.
Then came a series of moves, the first being
to a house at 377 Hugel Street. (As an interesting footnote,
Ed Walker's phone number there was only three numbers long...1-6-7.)
The next move came in 1941, when he moved to a house on King
Street (now One-Stop Beauty Shop) beside the Odeon Theatre
(now the Roxy Twin Theatres). In 1943, he built a shop out
back for the inventory and the trucks. This shop is now occupied
by Cellarman's Ale House. Five years later, he added a store
to sell appliances. Today, this store has become Georgian
Bay Windsurfing, located in front of Cellerman's.
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In 1959, Walker's Electric helped lead the
way with electric heating. Both the local newspaper and the
electrical industry reported the first home built north of
Toronto with a complete electrical heating system. At the
time, the house was a breakthrough in technology. It was built
mostly by Ed Walker and his four sons: Ken, Gordon, Alan,
and David. They hosted booths at the annual Midland Fall Fair
introducing people to this new electrical heating technology
for homes.
In 1967, the second generation Walkers, Ken,
Gordon, Alan and David became partners in the new incorporated
company called Ed Walker's Electric Ltd. Also during 1967,
they built and moved to occupy a new company location at 889
King Street, and included a new custom control panel division
named Walker Panels. By this time the company was servicing
many different sectors of the community including commercial,
industrial, marinas, farms and residential.
Ed Walker continued to run the company with
his sons into the early 1980's, before officially retiring
and leaving the company entirely to the second-generation
Walkers. For another ten years, Ed Walker's sons would continue
to proudly serve the Midland community, Huronia and beyond
from its 889 King Street location.
In November of 1993, Ed Walker's Electric Ltd.
made the move to its present location at 169 Bay Street. The
building was completely renovated to house the company. By
now, Ed Walker's Electric Ltd. had expanded to include four
different divisions: electrical contracting, custom control
panels, a mechanical division, and a security division. The
company and its divisions would continue for another five
years before seeing some major changes.
During 1999, Ed Walker's Electric Ltd. made
major changes to prepare for the new millenium. First, the
company streamlined itself as the mechanical and security
divisions were sold. Secondly, third-generation Glenn Walker,
son of Gordon, took the reins of the company in the absence
of the retiring Ken and David.
In August 1999, Ed Walker's Electric Ltd. became
Walker's Electric 2000, donning a new name to reflect the
company's third generation of family ownership. Gordon Walker
continues to be actively involved with Walker's Electric 2000
as the only remaining second-generation family member.
The company is proud to mention that fourth generation, Jeremy Walker, has been actively taking part in contributing
to Walker's overall success. Jeremy is a graduate of Brock University with a BA in Business Administration. As well he is actively involved
in the Electrical Field working towards his Masters License
Today, Walkers Electric is growing as a fully independent company, a Division of 1350223 Ontario Inc., under the ownership
of Glenn Walker.
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