Corporate History
In the beginning…
Nearly six decades ago, in 1966, Bob and Sally Walker had a vision to develop a company dedicated to serving the maritime industry. As a result, Mr. Walker trained to become a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Certified Marine Chemist (which was the inspiration for the company’s name). Mrs. Walker worked behind the lines, eventually taking care of all the books, paperwork, phones and so much more. Together, they worked hard in pursuit of their goal and in November of that same year, the Walkers started Marine Chemist Service in the historic state of Virginia.
News of Mr. Walker’s professionalism and around-the-clock availability quickly spread beyond the Tidewater area (and long before the contemporary term “24/7”). Shipyard representatives and military personnel up and down the East Coast heard of his prompt service and quality workmanship. He was even requested to go to Japan and other international ports of call. As a result, they too climbed aboard and became loyal customers. Many lasting friendships were made during those early years — a trend that continues to this day with their next generation.
Mr. Walker’s genuine concern for the safety and needs of others was so renown, those aforementioned friends continually called upon him for help. Several wanted Marine Chemist Service, a company they had come to trust, to expand its capabilities into other areas. Receptive to their ideas, and certainly grateful, Mr. Walker set out to form two additional departments to compliment his already reputable marine chemist division: namely, the now known Environmental & Industrial Hygiene Laboratory and boiler feedwater supply (i.e. purified water which is not in as much demand due to changes in vessel technology). Not long afterwards, the Walkers realized they, too, needed help–just like the clients they served.
For the next few decades, the Walkers set out to hire the best people available (several of whom are still employed at Marine Chemist Service). After that, all they and their capable staff had to do was live up to their own previously established standards of excellence, which they did if shelves full of four-inch notebooks (in support of the company’s credentials) and hundreds of thousands of analyses are any measure of success. MCS has also provided well over 65,000 maritime and land-based facility inspections, and trained over 25,000 student-employees.
Since those early years, Marine Chemist Service has remained committed to promoting safe work practices and a cleaner environment in which its employees, their families, and clients live. In pursuit of that commitment, the company has grown from a two-person inspection and consulting firm to a multi-faceted corporation employing over 30 people in two different locations. And, the company’s territory has grown as well. To date, MCS has provided highly specialized services from as far north as Greenland, east as Spain and Crete, south as Antiqua and the Bahamas, and west as Japan and Diego Garcia. Below is a partial listing of their services, too:
Services
ABIH Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
including:
- surveys
- job plans
- overseeing Field Operations
Field Operations, Sampling and Sample Pickup
specializing in:
- asbestos
- hexavalent chromium
- lead
- mold
- noise monitoring
Environmental and Industrial Hygiene Laboratory
Analyzing samples collected by our clients, and our own Field Operations
NFPA Certified Marine Chemists (CMC)
Providing inspections for the Construction General, and Maritime Industries
(Shipyard) Competent Person (SCP or CP)
For long term commitments working out of your office, or ours
Classroom Instruction
at your office, or our new training facility, and online
- State approved training for asbestos & lead
- (Shipyard) Competent Person
- Fire Watch
(developed at the request of the U.S. Navy) - Awareness, Inspector, Project Monitor, Supervisor, and including Refresher Training
(e.g. asbestos, hexavalent chromium, lead, mold, etc.)
A final note . . .
Some today perceive the word “service” to be nothing more than a cliche’. Marine Chemist Service recognizes the word as an integral part of their corporate name and purpose. Being of service to others has been a long-standing commitment which MCS takes great pride. As a result, MCS truly wants to be a part of your future plans, and appreciates any opportunity to contribute to your success. If you are looking for a proactive partner, a team player, who consistently delivers quality services, yet is flexible enough to customize their talents to your specific needs, then please do not hesitate to contact Marine Chemist Service.
“There is much we can accomplish together”