Spanning 40 years of innovation

November 16th, 2009

Ahh, 1970. It certainly wasn't yesterday. The average income per year was $9,400. The AMC Gremlin sold for $1,879. But you’d need an 8-Track tape deck for $38.99. Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin both died from overdoses. The Vietnam War was full on. And, Simon and Garfunkel released their final album together: Bridge over Troubled Water.

Big R Bridge 40th anniversary graphic And, speaking of bridges, in 1970, a special division of the Ranch Wholesale Supply Company in Greeley, Colorado, had its first year of operation under the stewardship of a young keener named Sid Wilke. Who knew that this division would eventually become today’s Big R Bridge – a leading US bridge manufacturer?

As an employee at Ranch Wholesale, Sid had been so successful at starting and growing their aluminum and steel corrugated pipe category, that the Company decided to form a special division with Sid at the helm – and at the wheel of the truck, on the order desk, driving the lift, doing outside sales, and shipping and receiving.

The division became known as the Big R Manufacturing and Distribution Company and went through many stages of evolution before becoming the Big R Bridge we know today, as part of the international AIL Group of Companies.

Today’s, Big R Bridge operates from Greeley, Colorado and Fort Worth, Texas. The Company employs up to 100 people in peak season and serves the entire US and International locations such as Canada, Puerto Rico and more. We’d like to thank all those who have contributed to our great success. Watch for more details on the Big R Bridge 40th Anniversary celebrations in this newsletter throughout 2010.

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1290
Greeley, Colorado
80632-1290
Physical address:
19060 WCR 66
Greeley, CO 80631

1-800-234-0734
1-970-356-9600
1-970-356-9621 fax
bigrbridge.com