history
The Williams Company, Inc. has a rich heritage that began in 1937.
Joseph Cicero Williams had initially settled in Bristol, Tennessee, around 1910, where he joined the Enterprise-Black Diamond Company. This thriving Bristol, Virginia machine shop specialized in building mining cars and tractor-trailer bodies. With a wealth of experience and a vision for innovation, Joseph Cicero, alongside his son J.C., envisioned The Williams Company, Inc., and brought it to life in 1937, setting up shop in Bristol, Virginia.
The very heart of our present and original machine complex, located at 365 Peters St. was designed by Joseph Cicero himself and brought to fruition by the dedicated hands of company employees.
In its early years, The Williams Company specialized in crafting parts for the textile and fibers industries, counting North American Rayon, American Bemberg, and Tennessee Eastman among its major clientele. The onset of World War II saw our company pivot to produce aircraft parts for industry giants like Consolidated Vultee, Goodyear Aircraft, and Curtis Wright Aircraft. Additionally, we proudly served as one of the pioneering suppliers for The Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Our production continued unabated to support the vital rayon tire and fiber industry until the conclusion of the Korean War.
The early 1950s ushered in a new chapter as The Williams Company, Inc. expanded its horizons by manufacturing trailer bodies, a design spearheaded by the visionary Joseph Cicero himself. These innovative, lightweight yet robust bodies found favor primarily among local moving and trucking companies. Notably, Joseph Cicero’s ingenious design also extended to an insulated milk truck, custom-built for the Pet Milk Company. These ventures thrived until the late 1950s.
Today
Address
365 Peters Street
Bristol, VA 24201
Phone
(276) 466-3342
info@williamsusa.com