W&O was established by Bill Weedon (the 'W') and Percy Oberman
(the 'O') as an engineering firm in the early 1970s. In 1975, Herbert E. Goelz purchased the
company, retained the name and began supplying ships and shipyards in Jacksonville, Florida
with piping products. Mr. Goelz is a graduate of Kings Point Maritime Academy and was a
chief mate on liberty ships during World War II. He combined his love for the marine business
with his vision to be in every major port in the United States to make W&O the only nationwide
supplier of pipes, valves and fittings to the marine industry.
Today, W&O remains headquartered in Jacksonville and operates
thirteen branch offices in the United States and two international locations; one in Antwerp and another in Rotterdam.
Now led by CEO Jack Guidry, W&O continues their legacy of service to the maritime
industry that was the vision of its founder many years ago.