1948: The Inception
In 1948, Harry and Alma Walters founded Walters Supply Company, Inc. in Detroit, Michigan. Little did they know that they would lay the foundation for a legacy. They were happily married in 1937, and were proud parents to Alan Miller, Michael Walters, Jackie Fontanilla, Jim Walters, and Wendy King.
When Harry was released from the Army after World War II, he started his venture by selling all kinds of surplus equipment, consumer goods, and materials leftover from the war efforts from the United States government. Soon after, he started buying and selling equipment out of his 1940’s Ford panel truck – reminiscent of the original Sanford and Son's operation.
1950s: Transition to Machine Tools
By the 1950s, Harry’s focus shifted to selling hand tools and machine tools. He purchased the first warehouse on the west side of Detroit to sell to American manufacturers. Alma Machinery was taking its first steps toward specialization.
1960s: Incorporation and Growth • Who is Alma Anyway?
The 1960s brought growth with the purchase of two additional warehouses in Detroit.
Alma Walters always shared the story – “In 1969 my husband Harry (Bucky) Walters, took a bold step and decided to incorporate. Tired of being listed last in the Detroit Yellow Pages, he gambled… on changing the name from Walters Supply Company, to the present day Alma Machinery Company, Inc. That put us first in the phone book, and hopefully we’re first in your book.”
1970s: Specialization and Family Involvement
The 1970s saw the entry of the second generation, with James (Jim) Walters joining the business after graduating with his Business Administration degree from Michigan State University. Alma Machinery switched from machine tools and began specializing in stocking stamping presses of various types and sizes.
1980s: Expansion and Technological Advancements
The 1980s marked a period of technological advancement, innovation, and expansion.
In 1981, Harry’s daughter Wendy King and her husband Ken King joined the business and opened a sales office and warehouse in Franklin Park, Illinois. With a great location near the O’Hare Airport in Chicago, the 40,000 square foot warehouse was equipped with a 40-ton overhead crane, which expanded the business to two locations.
“What do you know about the used machinery business?” was a question Ken’s father-in-law, Harry “Bucky” Walters often asked after he married his daughter, Wendy. “l had to confess through the years that I knew very little. But I liked my brother-in-law, Jim, so in 1980 I decided to leave my job at Inland Steel Co. in Chicago and learn all there was to know about sales and used stamping presses from Bucky and Jim at Alma Machinery.”
“Chicago was a “springboard” for me to develop my own contacts, learn the technical side of the business and open a second facility within a couple of years” Ken explains.
Jim’s wife Debby Walters also joined the team to help computerize the business. With the implementation of CAMMS, a Computer Aided Maintenance Management System, Debby helped develop one of the first digital sales and marketing programs in the industry, which enabled Alma Machinery to reach customers all around the world.
In 1985, Jim convinced Harry to sell the original Detroit warehouse, and purchase a 10,000 square foot office building and warehouse with a crane 45 minutes west of Detroit, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This continues to be Alma Machinery’s corporate headquarters.
1990s: National Recognition and Continued Growth
By 1991, Alma Machinery had earned its place as one of the world's largest stocking dealers of used stamping presses. An additional 50,000 square foot warehouse was added to the operation in Jackson, Michigan, 40 minutes west of Ann Arbor.
Managed by Charles Bailey and assisted by Louis Ploof, the new team grew quickly, and elevated the high quality reconditioning service. This new growth allowed the business to increase inventory to more than 300 presses, between three different locations.
This accelerated growth could only be possible with the help, and dedicated loyal service from our Office Manager, Marilyn Berk who joined the team in 1988. Over the past four decades, Marilyn has worked with all three generations of “her boys” and always with a pleasant and helpful attitude! Her responsibilities range from answering the phone, picking up lunch orders, processing purchase orders, invoices and other paperwork all while keeping track of all four warehouses some 500 miles apart. Plus, taking care of all of our employees' needs.
President Jim Walters says “We’re honored that Marilyn, Charlies, and Louis are still an integral part of our team, over 35+ years later.”
Founder Harry Walters retired in 1997 after 50 remarkable years, passing the torch to the next generation. He worked hard, loved supporting his family, and found great success taking risks, even after all those years saying “this business is not all that easy.”
Harry’s legacy continued under the leadership of Jim Walters and Ken King, who took over as President and Vice President, respectively, in 1995.
Since 1995, under their leadership, they’ve successfully grown the business from only 50 presses in stock, to over 600 used and reconditioned presses in stock. 
2000s: Multi-Location Operations and Family Legacy
The 2000s brought further expansion, with Ken and Wendy King moving their operations to Columbia, Tennessee, in 2009. Located 45 minutes south of Nashville, the 60,000 square foot warehouse with a 50-ton overhead crane was a great addition to specialize in larger, straight-sided presses.
Meanwhile, Ken and Wendy’s son Jesse King (Harry’s grandson) joined the team in 2009 after graduating with a degree in Accounting from University of Northern Illinois.
In Ann Arbor, Michigan – Jim and Debby’s son John Walters (Harry’s grandson) came onboard in 2009 after graduating with a degree in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University.
2010s: Adapting to Challenges and Welcoming New Generations
By the early 2010s, Alma Machinery now operated across three warehouse locations with over 15+ team members – offering an extensive inventory, and specialized services.
Wendy King says “In 2009, we were sad to say our goodbyes to our parents, Harry & Alma Walters after 72 happy years of marriage. We think of them every single day, as their memory lives on.”
Jim and Ken kept focused on growing the company, and improving the quality of the Alma Machinery reconditioning processes.
By 2015, Jim and Debby’s younger son Fletcher Walters (Harry’s grandson) also joined the Ann Arbor staff, with a degree from Amherst College.
Plus, Ken and Wendy’s son-in-law Mark Judd (daughter Kelly’s husband) joined the team in Columbia, Tennessee after ten years of service with the U.S. Army, including several deployments.
2020s: A Legacy Continues
Despite the challenges of the early 2020s, Alma Machinery found a way to make a positive impact. In response to the pandemic, they supplied machines at discounted prices to companies producing face masks, face shields, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
As Alma Machinery celebrates its 75th anniversary, the third generation steps up to lead the way. With new members, and the dedication of existing team members, the future looks promising.
Wendy King retired in 2021, but not long after, she and Ken’s oldest daughter Kelly Judd (Harry’s granddaughter) and daughter-in-law Alexis King (Jesse’s wife) came onboard to help manage the operations in the Tennessee office.
In 2024, Jim and Debby’s son-in-law Peter Biskaduros (daughter Paige’s husband) joined the Michigan team, with an Engineering degree from Virginia Tech University.
With the Tennessee team specializing in larger straight-sided and high speed presses, and the Michigan team specializing in hydraulic presses, and three warehouse locations totaling over 150,000 square feet, Alma Machinery continues to be a driving force in the used presses industry. 
“As 2nd generation partners/owners, Jim and I worked hard to expand Alma Machinery over our last 45 years. We decided early on to improve customer satisfaction by offering used reconditioned, production ready and most importantly, dependable presses at a fair price. It began with warehouses in IL and MI and expanded to over 105,000 square feet between MI and TN with over 600 presses in stock and a staff of 20.”
“I have every confidence in Alma Machinery’s 3rd generation working to uphold our company values with exciting new ideas to come” explains Ken King. Like Alma, used to say, “This work gets in your blood,” and indeed it did for Ken & Jim! However, as Bucky would constantly remind us: “This business is not that easy!” And he was right!
As of 2024, in addition to used, reconditioned presses and feed equipment, Alma Machinery is excited to be the exclusive sales representative for all new Komatsu presses in the state of Michigan.
Looking to the Future
Jim Walters and Ken King express their pride in growing Alma Machinery into the third generation. Since 1995, they’ve successfully grown the business from only 50 presses in stock, to over 600+ reconditioned presses of all types and sizes, in stock.
Reflecting on the journey, Alma Machinery remains true to its founding principles—honesty, reliability, and a commitment to delivering quality machinery that works.
Ken King says “We are so thankful for our two dozen dedicated team members. We’re proud to be an American, family-owned business.”
As they express gratitude for the opportunity given by Harry and Alma Walters in 1948, Alma Machinery looks forward to the next 75 years, continuing to support manufacturing industries worldwide.
Since 1948 and three generations later, Alma Machinery has successfully earned the trust of their customers through honest sales relationships, machine knowledge, reliability, transparency and the dedication it takes to service the manufacturer.
Jim Walters says “We want to sell you something that works. Next time you are buying or selling late model stamping, molding, pressing, straightening, feeding or fabricating equipment give us a call, we would love to help. We are more than a business, we’re a family ready to help.”
Cheers to Alma Machinery, 75 years strong and counting!
