Issue link: https://ppgrefinish-na.uberflip.com/i/981524
The new location did not disappoint, and Larry Walker & Sons enjoyed steady growth along with new service offerings and an expanded client list. By 2010, Robbie and Mark were kicking around ideas that would make the customer experience even better: a drive-in estimating area, a more comfortable lounge, and the more effective placement of offices. Robbie discussed his ideas with some trusted advisors, including his banker, accountant and PPG's Brandon Nixon, Mark Hockaday and Dave Knapp. "The building they were in was well designed," says Hockaday, PPG business development manager, "but the business was outgrowing it." Workflow was becoming a critical factor. The MVP Design & Layout team met with company representatives and asked a lot of questions. "It seemed like the expansion plan they were considering involved a significant amount of money but didn't give them the capacity to produce more work," says Hockaday. They decided to look at a separate, 60-foot by 120-foot stand-alone paint shop on the property out back. Plans were drawn up and presented. Robbie and Mark approved, and in January 2017, the company held a grand reopening of what was now an extensively remodeled business. Once the paint production area was relocated, they were able to reallocate space up front, including offices, the metal shop and a conference/training room. Chris Clement of local distributor Keystone Automotive helped fine-tune the setup of two new paint booths for the AQUABASE ® Plus refinish system, and customers were welcomed to new drive-in estimating areas and a nicer, more expansive lounge. Robbie and Mark are looking forward to the future in this location. Although their father has retired, their mother, Pat, continues to work in the accounting area of the business. Several of the company's key employees have worked there for decades, which shows that genuine concern for people drives that part of their business, too. Robbie says he's not sure if Larry Walker & Sons will one day become a third-generation family business. But certainly, if that day comes, they'll have both the loyal customers and the space to serve them. 25