A.G. Williams turns 100
Arthur G. Ratsikas, later known as Arthur G. Williams, started A.G. Williams Painting Co. 100 years ago this year in New York. Arthur's grandsons celebrated the company's 100th anniversary at a gala in October 2006 at Beckwith Pointe in New Rochelle, N.Y. They were joined by employees, vendors, key clients and local politicians.
Williams came to the U.S. in 1904, and by 1906 he had established his painting company, hired his first employee and changed his name to Arthur Williams, inspired by the American-sounding Sherwin-Willams paint he used in his work.
In 1946, Arthur's eldest son, George A. Williams, joined the firm and led it through a long period of growth and expansion. George, a beloved boss, business owner, and active member of the community, passed away unexpectedly in 2003.
The third generation of Williams owners, Arthur's grandsons Arthur G. Williams and George P. Williams, joined the firm in the late 1970s. As with the generations before them, Arthur and George expanded and grew the company, moving it to the current, larger headquarters site in the mid-1980s.
"We believe in excellence in everything we do, a tradition handed down by our grandfather and father," notes George Williams. "Our job sites are meticulously neat and clean, our employees are extensively trained in both painting and safety techniques, and we never take short cuts. It may be unusual for today's businesses to retain employees through three generations of owners and to work with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of original clients, but it's not unusual for A.G. Williams Painting Co. We expect to uphold our relationships for at least another 100 years."
|
