About Us

Our Mission

Vern Lewis Welding Supply Inc. strives to provide excellent customer service. We pride ourselves in being the welding supply of choice to our customers, employees and vendors alike.

We are committed to purchasing and maintaining quantities of the newest and most innovative products to meet our customer’s needs as well as stocking the long lasting, tried and true products.

Our Story

Vern Lewis opened his first welding supply business over 50 years ago in Avondale, Arizona. He came from Iowa where he had been a District Manager for Forney Industries. After several years working in the west valley, he decided it was time to become his own boss and opened his first retail location. This store primarily served the area’s farm communities.

Vern Lewis Welding Supply, Inc. has grown leaps and bounds since opening that first small store. Vern went on to expand the Avondale location to include a bulk gas full plant and opened stores in Central Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Wickenburg, and Mesa. The company now includes additional stores in both North Phoenix and Peoria, as well as a centralized warehouse. Most recently, they opened a location in Kingman.

Vern Lewis has always stressed the importance of excellent customer service, and the company now offers services such as same-day and next-day delivery, several dedicated-route delivery trucks, a welding process training lab in Peoria, and expert employees that have come to understand Vern’s philosophy.

The growth and success of this family owned business is a legacy that has been passed down from Vern since its founding and is attributed to his willingness to step up to challenges, his determination to stay on the cutting edge of technology, and his commitment to putting the customer first.

Timeline

1964: Vern answered an ad from Forney Welders selling maintenance equipment to farmers and welding shops and got the job.

1965: Moved to Harlan, Iowa and sold Forney in 12 counties.

1969: Moved to Arizona with the family. Forney gave Vern the whole state to work as regional manager. Sold out of truck with Ron Ruch.

1973: Due to a steel shortage Forney was not able to provide welding rod. So Vern worked out a deal with Lincoln whom had no shortage. Six months later they set Vern up as a dealer and about that time Vern hired Ron Ruch and they worked well together.

1974: When Forney stopped direct sales, Vern left Forney and went into business for himself.

1975: Rented 738 E Main St for more warehouse space.

1976: Bought 738 E Main St property.

1978: Found out the city of Avondale would let Vern open up retail out of the property so they did some rebuilding. Opened Avondale store at 738 E Main property.

1983: Potential customers complained Avondale was too far out. They began expansion and leased Grant street location and opened Phoenix store. Moved headquarters to Phoenix at that time.

1992: Bought Phoenix property at 275 S Black Canyon Hwy.

1993: Renovated property about half a mile away and made that his headquarters.

1997: Honored as Avondale Business Man of the Year.

1997: Buys property East of Avondale location and expands store – 742 E Main (small motel and remodeled.)

1999: Opened Avondale store next door.

2006: Moved headquarters back to Avondale.

2006: Bought Yavapai Welding Service in Prescott Valley.

2007: Renamed Yavapai (opened 01/02/2007) to Vern Lewis Welding Supply.

2007: Purchased Cross Panels in Wickenburg, opened as Vern Lewis Associates in September.

2008: Rented building in Mesa and opened store January 2008.

2011: Purchased and renovated Deer Valley location and opened store in August 2011.

2013: Turns company over to VLWS management team.

2013: Changed Wickenburg store name from Vern Lewis associates to Vern Lewis Welding Supply.

2014: Bought new location on 21st Ave and McDowell, opened store in May. Bonnie paints mural of Vern in new Phoenix store.

2015: Company buys new welder repair facility and opens in April 2016.

2015: Life Membership in American Welding Society for 35 years of service. Recognized locally in December 2015.

2016: Purchased Peoria location and opened store in May 2016.

2018: Purchased distribution center and moved repair, warehouse, and corporate to there.

2020: Purchased and opened Kingman store in March 2020.

2021: Built and started filling at the new plant.

2021: Opened The Vernon F. Lewis Welding Lab at Doniphan West High School in Highland, Kansas in October.

Our Commitment

To improve the cost effectiveness and quality of our products and services by building a team of people who maintain an attitude of superior service.

Vern Lewis Welding Supply Inc. is devoted to treating our customers in the same manner as we desire to be treated as customers.

We are proud member of the following organizations:

National Women Business Owner’s Association