About Wink: History
Wink Engineering, LLC was founded in 1970 (as Wink, Incorporated) by Joseph C. Wink, Jr., P.E. and his wife Ann Smith Wink. From a one-man consultancy, the firm has grown to become a multi-discipline professional firm with full-service engineering offices in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and with, as part of Willbros Group, resources and capabilities which extend globally.
Milestones
1970s |
Wink, Incorporated begins as a small, process-oriented mechanical design firm serving the local refineries in the New Orleans area. |
| At the close of the decade in 1979, the firm has a total of 30 employees and $1.5 Million in annual revenues. | |
1980s |
Land Survey Division established in 1980. |
| Despite the Louisiana "Oil Bust" of the 1980s, Wink continues to enjoy moderate but steady growth, primarily by diversifying outside its traditional industrial markets into government services and architecture. | |
1990s |
In 1991, the firm relocates to its new, 35,000 square foot corporate headquarters on Bullard Avenue in eastern New Orleans. |
| The company experiences robust growth, closing the decade with a workforce of 275 and annual revenues of $21 Million. | |
2000–2004 |
In 2001, Wink establishes engineering operations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a core group of 4 personnel, and A.E. (Andy) Farris, Jr., P.E., as its General Manager. |
| In 2002, the firm's founder, Joe Wink, relinquishes the role of Chief Executive, and begins the transition of company management to the second generation of Wink family owners. | |
| In 2003, the firm establishes offices in James Industrial Park in St. Charles Parish, as a "task force" for the major refineries and industrial clients in the River Parish Area. | |
2005 |
Hurricane Katrina |
| Eastern New Orleans headquarters are incapacitated. | |
| Corporate headquarters relocate to Baton Rouge. | |
2006–2008 |
New Orleans employees relocate to existing offices in Baton Rouge and St. Charles Parish, more than doubling the size of each of these locations. |
| The firm experiences a period of unprecedented growth in employees and revenues, and undertakes the largest capital projects in its history — refinery expansions and "grass roots" developments ranging in size from $100 Million to $450 Million TIC. | |
2009 |
Wink family owners sell the engineering operations to Willbros Group, Inc. Wink joins InServ as part of Willbros' downstream business unit. • A.E. (Andy) Farris, Jr., P.E. is named President. • Company name becomes Wink Engineering, LLC. |
Remembering Our Roots
Wink Engineering is justifiably proud of its heritage. The principles and values at the core of the company have remained constant through years of extraordinary growth and economic downturns; from our origins as a startup company founded by a plant chief engineer to being part of a major, multi-national public corporation.
Our roots run deep, and at their source are a commitment to safety; striving for excellence in all we do; and accountability — to our people, our customers, and the community. These principles were summarized by the company's founder, Joe Wink, in a document he called Wink's Straight Policy:
Play it straight, whether in contact with the public, our customers, suppliers, employees, or any other individual or group.
The only right way to deal with people is forthrightly and honestly. If mistakes are made, admit them and correct them.
Our commitments will be honored and we have the right to expect the same performance from the people with whom we do business.
This is fundamental: we will not welch, weasel, chisel, or cheat. We will not be party to any untruths, half truths, or unfair distortions. Life is too short.
It is possible to make a decent living without compromising our integrity.
— Joseph C. Wink, Jr., P.E.
December 1992