Commercial & Industrial HVAC // Dust Collection // Metal Fabrication
DESIGN - QUOTE
FABRICATE - INSTALL
Family owned and operated
- SINCE 1897 -
The history of a company sets the stage for the future, and at Burkhardt's, we have a rich history here in the community. Over 120 years in the business, raising the bar higher as each generation passes to the next. Currently owned and operated by Trent Carr, Burkhardt's is a thriving cornerstone of our community, and continues to push the boundaries of excellence and quality. Where we are today is nothing short of impressive, but it took a lot of hard work and commitment, and a long history to get here.
HOW IT BEGAN
1887 -
1922
1923 -
1940
1940 -
1960
1960 -
2004
2004 -
today
Christian A. Burkhardt, together with three brothers and four sisters, traveled to America from Wurtemburg, Germany around 1887. He settled in Meadville, Pa. where he was joined later by his wife and daughter. Christian had learned the tinsmith trade in Germany, and continued his occupation out of his new home in town at 207 Clay Street. The first found record has him being registered in the Meadville Directory, 1897-1898, as a tinner in an alley near Shippen Street in Kerrtown. Later around 1917, records list Christian's young son, Robert A. as a tinner, eventually being listed together in the Meadville Directory 1922-1923. This would mark the beginning of the C. A. Burkhardt & Son company name.
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During their time in business together, C. A. tragically fell to his death at a roofing job in Kerrtown (August 18th, 1937). This ended the nearly twenty some years of this father/son business. After his father's death, Robert continued to work at the tinning trade but also held other various jobs. The business remained somewhat passive until it was bought by Ann Burkhardt Carr's son, Kenneth G. Carr.
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In 1940 he moved his family, consisting of his wife, Ethel, and young sons, Kenneth R. and Gary D. to a Meadville apartment and began working at the 207 Clay Street address. Kenneth named his new business Burkhardt Sheet Metal Company in honor of his Grandfather, Chris A. Burkhardt. During Ken's early years at Burkhardt's, the company's work primarly consisted of roofing and spouting jobs. As the business began to prosper, Ken purchased property and contracted Shartle and Walker builders to construct a 40' x 60' shop at the present location on Route 77.
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The nature of work performed at Burkhardt's began to change after Ken's son, Gary, officially joined the business in the early 1960's. At this time, the company began to expand into industrial sheet metal work and gave up the roofing and spouting aspects. During the late 1960's and in to the 1970's, industrial work was performed for the Abex Corporation, Meadville Malleable, Meadville Forging, plus new residential work. Gary Carr owned and operated Burkhardt's for the next 30 plus year until 2004, when his son Trent Carr (who had been working at the company with his father for many years prior) purchased the business at the age of 29, carrying on the family tradition.
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WHERE WE ARE TODAY
Over the last 15 years, Trent has worked diligently to restructure the business into what it is today, focusing primarily on all commercial and industrial projects. Although the company has grown and changed with the times, one thing has always remained the same; quality is priority number one. We never cut corners and we never rush jobs, because quality simply cannot be rushed. This approach has truly paid off as we now enter into 122 years of operation. We are grateful to have numerous employees with 20 - 25+ years with the company, as well as customers with over 50 years of dedication to our business. We continue to strive hard each day to improve upon the project before, to be better than yesterday, and to expand our customer base well beyond our expectations.
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Several companies we proudly serve in our area:
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Channellock // Smuckers // Park Ave Plaza // LORDS Corp. // MEP // Clinch Tite // McClean Fogg // C & J