When a young entrepreneur has a vision and the courage to follow that dream, it is with tremendous hopes for the future but also the realities of the challenges ahead.
W. A. Bragg & Company was that vision… rewarded the efforts of its founder… and successfully faced the challenges that came through the ensuing years. We believe our founder would be pleased with where we are today. We are still a 100% family-owned business enjoying continued growth and expansion while maintaining his standard of ethics and principled business dealings and the 3rd generation of family members is now actively engaged in that continuing that legacy.
W. A. Bragg & Company was founded in 1953 by Wallace Arvin Bragg in his hometown of Augusta, GA.
Having served as a B-17 pilot with the U.S. Army’s 8th Air Corps in Europe during WWII, Wallace Bragg returned to Augusta after leaving the Air force with 52 missions over Germany and went into plumbing sales with Stein Wholesaler. When Stein moved to Atlanta, Mr. Bragg chose to stay in Augusta and open his own wholesale business. Having a knack for sales and a winning personality, Mr. Bragg quickly achieved success and began to grow the business in Augusta and the outlying areas surrounding it.
With his wife, Norma, by his side, the business and family grew as Lynda, Darrell and Brian were born. Unfortunately, health issues arose and Mr. Bragg passed away in 1966. Undeterred, Mrs. Bragg took control of the company and continued its growth and success. Surrounding herself with capable people and having a keen business mind she grew the company through the 70’s and 80’s. In 1978, Lynda joined the family business and the first branch location was opened in Martinez, GA. In 1979 Darrell joined and in 1992 Brian joined the company, all after successful ventures in other fields of endeavor.
The growth continued and in 1988 our location in Aiken, SC was opened. Shortly after, Athens, GA was begun, and in 2001 Statesboro was added. Prior to completing the Statesboro acquisition in 2000, Mrs. Bragg, who in 1983 married Col. Donald Poe, passed away suddenly. After finishing the task of acquiring Statesboro, Milledgeville was added in 2006 and the Warner Robins branch was added in 2011.
The Martinez location was moved to a much larger facility in Evans in 2009 and a 3000 square foot, ‘Interactive’ showroom was completed there in November 2010.
The Vidalia location was added in 2015 and we are currently looking at several more expansion moves with younger generation of Alex Bragg and Rusty Perry driving the momentum for even further growth.
W.A. Bragg & Company prides itself on a business devoted to its customers and employees. A strong belief in God, capitalism and free enterprise coupled with hard work and fair-mindedness continue to allow for success. We encourage you to give us a look when you begin your next building project, need new appliances, have repair needs, or just get tired of holding the hose.