THE WALPar story
Over 50 years ago Planet Corporation opened its Highway and Railroad Safety Products division near Birmingham. The facility was strategically located three miles south of U.S. Steel's Fairfield, Alabama plant.
Henry A. Parker, a Licensed Professional Civil Engineer and University of Alabama graduate, was hired as Planet Corporation’s Chief Engineer in 1973 after many years with U.S. Steel.
In July 1974 Walpar was chartered by Richard A. Wall, Jr., formerly General Manager of Planet Corporation's Highway Division, and Henry Parker. The company subsequently acquired Planet Corporation's Birmingham facilities and business operations. In 1978 Mr. Parker purchased Mr. Wall's interest in the company.
Until July 2009, Walpar operated as a family-owned business and achieved tremendous growth and market presence under the leadership of Henry Parker as Chief Executive Officer, and his two sons H. Allen Parker, Jr. and Stanley R. Parker.
Allen joined Walpar full-time in 1978, and was named President of the company in January 2007. Stan joined Walpar in 1980 and was later named Vice President.
In July 2009, Walpar was recapitalized by Rock Gate Peninsula I, a partnership of Rock Gate Partners and Peninsula Capital Partners, to facilitate continued growth and estate planning objectives.
In July 2018, Walpar was acquired by Valmont® Industries, Inc. The acquisition makes Walpar part of the world’s leader in engineering and manufacturing lighting, signage and traffic management structures. Valmont is a global leader in the Engineered Support Structures, Coatings, Irrigation and Utility Support Structures business segments. Valmont Industries, Inc. (VMI) is publicly traded on the NYSE.
The entire Walpar team takes great pride in its customer relationships and seeks to differentiate itself from competitors through excellence in design, engineering, product fabrication, quality control and customer service.
THE WALPAR TEAM
Walpar employs passionate individuals who genuinely care about the organization. The Company maintains a uniquely collaborative culture with relentless focus on continuous improvement.
Engineering & Drafting
BARBARA CLEMENTS, PE
Chief Engineer
MICHAEL DEMPSEY
General Manager/Project Manager
JEREMY DENARD
Drafting Manager/Project Manager
BRENT DONELSON
Project Manager
DAVID JOHNSTON
Drafting Systems Analyst
DANIEL KIESTLER
Design Drafter
DAVID LALLONE, PE
Design Engineer
IRVING LARRY, PE
Design Engineer
ROBERT WIGINTON, PE
Senior Design Engineer
Sales
REBA BRICE
Sales Administration/Office Manager
MICAH HOWELL
Estimator
DARIN ODOM
General Manager/Sales Manager
VANESSA RILEY
Sales Representative
JOSH STEGALL
Assistant Sales Manager
BYRNE STEWART
Estimator
Shop office
BARRY BENHAM
Plant Manager
BOBBY BENSON, CWI
Quality Manager
STEVE CARNES, CWI
Quality Manager
JUSTIN CLEMENTS
Production Supervisor
ADAM GARRETT
Materials Manager
RICKEY GARRETT
Operations Manager
MATT MORSE
Production Supervisor
CATHY NORRIS
Shipping Manager
LEONA RILEY
Accounts Payable/Human Resources
SCOTT SLOAN
Senior Scheduler