Company Timeline

  • 1841 The forerunner company of today’s W. A. Wilson began, involving several manufacturing and sales businesses i.e.: cut nails, barge parts, ammunition boxes and various building products.
  • 1900 W. A. Wilson started as a partnership. Principal business was selling paints, varnishes and oils. Millwork business began; also started selling window glass.
  • 1910 W. P. Wilson, a son, entered the business and operated as W. A. Wilson and Son. A few years later, A. A. Wilson entered the business and it operated as W. A. Wilson and Sons.
  • 1941 Incorporated in West Virginia as W. A. Wilson & Sons, Inc., the business remained basically the same.
  • 1968 Purchased assets of Wheeling PPG branch and began glass contracting and distribution along with other businesses.
  • 1968 Robert H. Hartong joins company.  Wheeling Glass, Inc, began, giving Wilson’s an entry into the flat glass business.
  • 1969 Purchased R. C. Dancer, Inc., giving the company retail paint stores in Wheeling and Wellsburg, WV.
  • 1974 All Wilson family heirs stock was purchased by Robert Hartong and Drell Goff. Millwork business was discontinued.
  • 1976 Purchased Flanagan & Nist Paint Company, operating three paint and decorating stores in Canton, Ohio.
  • 1978 Opened Canton glass distribution center in Canton, Ohio.
  • 1980 Purchased Star*Lite Insulating Glass of North Lawrence, Ohio.
  • 1981 In the fall, moved into the present Wheeling Industrial Park facilities.
  • 1992 DEPOT (EWO) System put into operation – Direct Electronic Purchase Order System.
  • 1994 Company enters into new era with R. H. Hartong becoming sole owner.
  • 1995 Robert H. Hartong II joins company.
  • 1995 Retail Auto Glass moves to National Road facility.
  • 1996 Opened Charleston Glass Distribution Center.
  • 1997 Sold Paint Division.
  • 2000 COPS (Customer Order Processing System)  enables customers to place orders online.
  • 2002 Robert H. Hartong retires and Robert H. Hartong II becomes President.
  • 2004 Retail Auto Glass operation is sold.
  • 2004 Sister company Wilson Glass and Aluminum is opened in Columbus, Ohio.
  • 2009 Temp*Rite tempered and spandrel fabrication begins in Wheeling
  • 2010 Auto Glass distribution business is sold at year end
  • 2011 All shipments originate from Wheeling and are shipped directly to our valued customers
  • 2011 Steve Perilstein joins company
  • 2011 Boxing Division begins operation
  • 2015 Approved as a PPG Certified Fabricator
  • 2017 Installation of our "State of the Art" Lisec Line