< Bob Hicks & Wendy James
Walsh Bros. is a family- and employee-owned business that was founded as a downtown Phoenix typewriter shop in 1919 by three enterprising brothers from Philadelphia. Today it is a full-service office environment company with operations in Phoenix and Tucson.
While many companies cite the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a challenging time, Walsh Bros. struggled through its worst slump quite a bit earlier – during the Great Depression. At the time the company dominated the typewriter business in Arizona and had offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff, Safford and Bisbee. But the arrival of the Depression forced the company to close all but the Phoenix and Tucson offices. The setback also led the company to diversify and add furniture products. By 1991, furniture and related services had become its core business.
Walsh Bros. employees own 15 percent of the company through an employee stock ownership plan. The company, whose Phoenix headquarters is located along the light rail corridor, has been studied by W. P. Carey Business Honors students.
Name of business: Walsh Bros. Office Environments
Nature of business: Office furnishings and designs
Address: 1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Web: www.walshbros.com
Founded: 1919
Employees now: 210
The company defines ethics as earning the respect of its customers, the community and its employees. It seeks to treat every customer fairly, demonstrates sound business practices and strives to resolve disputes in a fair and expeditious manner. The company’s core values and vision date back to Richard Walsh, who was president from 1928 to 1969. He created the company’s statement of values and beliefs in the early 1940s.
Walsh Bros. has a tradition of community involvement through such organizations as United Way and Friendly House.
