OUR STORY

Barkers Welding, Inc has been serving the Twin Ports and surrounding areas since 1984. The roots of steel working expertise and founder Dan Barker go back a quarter-century earlier.

As a teenager, Dan began working with his uncle Harry Longberg at Superior Metal Art, Inc making ornamental railings at a small shop in Superior. After high school he began his career at Frasier Shipyard. Cycling through many departments in early years, his eventual unique expertise was in pattern cutting. 30ft long curved and beveled cuts through 2-inch-thick plate was commonplace for ore boat repair projects. He stayed with Frasier over 20 years.

The early 80’s saw a sharp drop in many Twin Ports industries. Over slow summer months Frasier was completely without work. During these layoff periods Dan began his own steel and aluminum fabrication business at home. He designed and sold dozens of woodstoves during this period of time when utility costs were overwhelming. Other early customers out of Dan’s Foxboro garage were Edwards Logging and Dean’s Trucking.

In 1984, with his wife DeAnn, they purchased General Welding Co in South Superior renaming the company Barkers General Welding. Owner David Nevin was experiencing health problems and needed to retire. David remained a friend and advisor in the early years. The company quickly grew throughout the 1990’s. In 1999 Barkers General Welding officially became Barkers Welding, Inc.

In 2017, after 33 years with the company, Dan’s son Darrin purchased Barkers Welding, Inc. Taking another step, BWI has expanded from serving only Twin Ports area businesses to fabricating products for companies across the entire nation.