Witherup Fabrication & Erection named Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year

When everyone gathered for the 110th annual Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce annual celebration, there were a handful of the 100-plus people who were in on a big secret. They were all part of the ruse to get Witherup Fabrication & Erection owners Greg Piercy (president) and Jason Woolcock (vice president) to attend.

​At the end of the evening, to the delight of many in the room, they were named the 2023 Business of the Year. 

“If this evening’s recipient is surprised, I will be so happy,” said chamber director Jodi Baker-Lewis before describing the business without revealing its name. “I’ll bet most of you have heard of this business but have no clue where they are located,” she said. “For not quite 3/4 of a century, they have been respected leaders in their particular industry.”

Witherup Fabrication & Erection was started in 1954 by four brothers and owned by the family for decades. The company designs, fabricates, erects, and tests welded storage tanks of all sizes at its facility in Kennerdell.

A few years ago it was sold to Piercy and Woolcock who have continued the business’s reputation of being charitable and supportive of its employees, their communities and the causes that matter to them — such as Little League, schools, fire departments, United Way, and the chamber.

“Throughout their many years in business, they have been a huge supporter of our communities and organizations, and even more importantly, they supported the organizations which matter to their employees,” Lewis said. “Friends, it has been a long time since such kind words were spoken in letters of support from employees.”

The pair shyly accepted the honor, keeping their remarks short and first directed toward former Venango County Commissioner and Franklin-area businessman Vince Witherup. “Vince we came here for you,” Woolcock joked. Then he addressed all the Witherup family members and employees in the room. “You left us a great opportunity,” he said.

The Business of the Year was the final award of the night. Directly proceeding that announcement, Lucus Kauffman, director of Two Mile Run County Park, was given a Special Recognition for all his work toward increasing attendance at the outdoor facility.

“Luke, for creating ideas outside of the box… for giving of yourself and beyond.., for creating partnerships,” Jodi said when announcing the honor. She noted the highly successful trick-or-treat event that drew 4,000 and the recent post-Easter egg clean-up that had 150 participants as two examples of the park’s events. “You’re appreciated and I want you to know that.”

“The park is a passion of mine,” Kauffman said. “I chose to stay there (when park management changed) and I’m glad that the county chose to keep me there.”

“I’ve been blessed with volunteers, he added. “Jodi, Jodi’s friends, the commissioners, the staff… it makes it a lot easier to make that happen,”

The evening started with remarks by chamber board president Roy Schmoutz, who summarized the events of 2022. “Things started to improve in 2022, especially in the first half,” he said. “The second half was the breath of fresh air we all needed.” He highlighted a 9% increase in chamber memberships, the Innovation Institute moving into the upstairs space, Franklin Moving Forward becoming active again, and the hiring of Kimberly Fish as the new chamber assistant.

Lewis also offered a quick update on Applefest 40. Jim Williams will serve as the chairman of the Core committee again. “It takes hundreds of volunteers to make Applefest happen… and sponsors. We appreciate you.,” she said. “I am blessed with a strong Core committee I couldn’t do without… and the city, it takes a lot of planning on their part.”