Since 1984.

Bill Litchford started WEL in 1984 [VERIFY]. The company philosophy hasn't needed an update since: figure it out, show up, get it done.

The story [DRAFT for WEL review]

WEL started in Concord, Virginia in 1984 [VERIFY], hauling for local industry. Bill Litchford ran it the way a lot of good Virginia companies get run: answer the phone, keep the trucks moving, and don't tell a customer no unless you have to.

The scope grew the way it always does when you say yes. Hauling became vac work. Vac work became emergency response. Emergency response added rail, then snow, then demolition and abatement, because customers kept asking "can you also" and the answer kept being yes.

Today WEL runs from four yards (Lynchburg, Roanoke, Bluefield, and Winchester) with 300+ units and a customer list that runs from Class I railroads to county landfills, from utilities to petroleum marketers to general contractors. Same phone number. Same answer.

Timeline [VERIFY every year]

1984Founded in Concord, VA by Bill Litchford
[year]Roanoke shop opens
[year]First VDOT winter contract
[year]Bluefield, WV branch opens
[year]Winchester, VA branch opens
[year]First Class I railroad program
2026[Andrew to decide whether and how to reference Harbor]

Leadership [GATHER names, titles, photos]

President
VP of Operations
Director of Safety & Compliance
Dispatch Manager

40 years in business · 300+ company-owned fleet units · Shops in VA and WV [VERIFY count] · 24/7 emergency dispatch

Trained for the bad days.

Emergency response work is unforgiving. Our training and compliance programs exist so crews go home and clients pass audits.

What's on file [VERIFY every item]

OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER plus annual refreshers
Confined space entry
DOT/FMCSA compliance and hazmat endorsements
Virginia asbestos licensure (VA DPOR)
e-RAILSAFE / railroad contractor vetting
ISNetworld and Avetta prequalification
Virginia DEQ registrations
Drug and alcohol program

What clients audit

We keep active status on the prequal platforms clients actually use (ISNetworld, Avetta, and the railroad-specific programs) so procurement isn't the reason a job stalls.

Insurance is carried at coverage levels appropriate to emergency response and industrial services work. Certificates go out the same day they're requested. EMR available on request. [VERIFY current EMR before publishing]

Need our prequal package? Request it.

Four yards. One phone number.

Lynchburg, VA

Headquarters and main shop · 12236 Richmond Highway, Concord, VA 24538 · Office Mon to Fri 7:00 am to 5:00 pm · Emergency dispatch 24/7 · Based here: HQ, main dispatch, mechanics shop, vac and tanker yard, heavy haul.

Roanoke, VA

Branch · 800 Liberty Road NE, Roanoke, VA 24012 · Response crews, vac and hydro excavation, winter operations for VDOT Salem.

Bluefield, WV

Branch · 101 Old Princeton Road, Bluefield, WV 24701 · West Virginia response, rail support, coalfield industrial work.

Winchester, VA

Branch · [VERIFY address] · Shop hours [VERIFY] · Emergency dispatch [VERIFY 24/7] · Northern Virginia response and project support, Mid-Atlantic reach.

Emergency crews dispatch from all four yards, 24/7. [VERIFY Winchester]