Since our founding in 1957, we’ve been a family owned and operated business focused on quality products and unmatched customer satisfaction.

We credit our continued growth and reputation in the industry to the talents and dedication of our 100+ employees — a stellar team we consider an extension of our own family.

Late 1940s

Bob Werts with welder

After serving in the United States Army during WWII, Robert Werts is hired to work as a welder for a local welding shop.

1957

After several years of honing his skill as a welder and realizing the increasing need for welding services, Robert and his wife, Verna, open a welding shop in Wood River, Illinois. Werts Welding is founded.

1958

As demand for repair grew, Werts Welding quickly outgrew their first building. A new facility is constructed across the street from the original repair shop.

1958

Robert is hired by a local trucking company to repair a petroleum tank trailer. Recognizing the need for such services in the area, Robert and Verna turn Werts Welding's focus toward tank trailer repair.

1977

Robert and Verna’s son, Dwight, joins the firm.

Late 1970s – Early 1980s

After years of struggling to find and obtain proper trailer parts, Werts Welding becomes a distributor for several major tank trailer parts brands. As word spread and demand increased more product lines were added to the shelves.

1980

Werts Welding files to become a corporation. The name is changed to Werts Welding & Tank Service to reflect the company’s focus on tank trailer repair.

1982

Werts Welding & Tank Service prints and distributes their first parts catalog, making large orders and long-distance sales much more streamlined.

1991

The company opens a parts-specific distribution center in San Antonio, the company’s first center outside of their St. Louis headquarters.

1991

New Heil trailers

Werts Welding & Tank Service becomes a dealer for Heil trailers, marking their entry into the trailer sales business.

1994

Dwight Werts is named President and CEO of Werts Welding & Tank Service. Robert steps into a Vice President role.

1997

In an effort to better serve customers in the southeast, distribution centers are opened in Birmingham, Atlanta and Tampa. The Birmingham facility also contained a small garage for performing minor repairs.

2000

In three short years, demand for service and repair in Birmingham increased to the point that the branch had to relocate to a much larger facility.

2001

San Antonio Office

The booming oil business in Texas made it difficult to keep parts on the shelf in San Antonio. A new facility consisting of 3 warehouses and office space is constructed to keep up with demand.

2000-13

The new millennium represents another period of growth for Werts Welding & Tank Service as the company opens distribution centers in Des Moines (2003), Billings (2011) and Denver (2013).

2019

Continued demand for parts and repair in Birmingham necessitated a larger space. The facility was expanded, doubling the size of the parts warehouse and sales offices and nearly tripling the repair shop space. Three on-site dispatch offices were added and made available to rent for customers operating large fleets.

Robert and Verna Werts, Founders of Werts Welding

A Thank You to Our Founders

Robert Werts (1923-2004) & Verna Lyons Werts (1922-2005)

We would not be where we are today without the dreams and dedication of our founders, Robert and Verna Werts. It was their driving passion that grew Werts Welding & Tank Service from a small, one-room welding operation in the ‘50s to a worldwide leader in tank trailer parts and service. They treated every Werts Welding team member like family and they are greatly missed.