The Virginia Machinery & Well Company was founded in 1915 by Mr. Charles F. Cole. The headquarters was originally located at 1319 East Main Street in Richmond, Virginia.
The company was founded as a commercial and industrial well drilling, and well supply contractor. However, in the early 1930’s, the business shifted towards wholesale, becoming a plumbing, heating, and well distributor.
Julian Perry joined the business in 1923, serving as the company’s bookkeeper. As the years went by, Julian grew within the business, gaining the trust and respect of Mr. Cole. In 1954, Mr. Cole became Chairman of the Board, choosing Julian Perry as his successor for President/CEO. One year later, Kenneth Perry, Julian’s son, joined the company. With Julian as President/CEO, the company launched its first expansion by opening the first satellite branch office in South Hill, Virginia, in 1965.
In 1967, a disastrous fire broke out at the company headquarters, destroying the building which housed the showroom, the corporate office, the city counter, and the company’s entire inventory. However, with the support of loyal customers, key manufacturers, and even some competitors, company operations never ceased. Business was able to continue and grow.
Within a year’s time, a new site was chosen and new facilities were built. By 1968, the company’s headquarters, showroom, counter store, and central distribution center were located at 4201 Jacque Street, Richmond, VA.
With the company’s new location and early expansion, in 1970, Virginia Machinery and Well Company abbreviated its name to VAMAC, Inc.
As business increased, VAMAC expanded, setting up branches all across Virginia, serving customers through the Mid-Atlantic region. These branches include: Fredericksburg (1972), Petersburg (1983), Chesterfield (1984), Norfolk (1986), Woodbridge (1991), Manassas (1991), Warrenton (1991), Hanover (1997), Suffolk (1999), Leesburg (2001), Charlottesville (2004), Lynchburg (2005), Culpeper (2007), and Winchester (2008).
In 1973, Mr. Charles Cole passed away at age 94. As a result, Julian Perry stepped into the position of Chairman of the Board, and his son, Kenneth, became President/CEO. Kenneth’s son, Chris Perry, joined VAMAC in 1977, and Kenneth’s daughter, Corbin Perry Ensign, joined in 1985.
During the years of the company’s expansion, VAMAC joined WIT & Co., Plumbing Wholesale Buying Group in 1988. The WIT Buying Group consists of over 80 independent plumbing wholesalers and works to optimize competitive opportunities in the national plumbing, well, septic and heating product markets.
Today, Kenneth Perry (left) serves as Chairman of the Board, Chris Perry (right) as President/CEO, and Corbin Perry Ensign (center) as Senior Vice-President/CMO.
With the efforts of three generations of the VAMAC Family and the fourth generation joining over the past several years, the company has grown from a one store location to over 15 locations in the state of Virginia. From the company’s founding, VAMAC has been dedicated to making it easy and rewarding for our vendors and customers to do business with us. They are all a part of our family.
We welcome you to the VAMAC Family. Come experience “The VAMAC Difference!”