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History of Burkhart Dental Supply
Through a succession of Burkhart’s and many dedicated lifetime employees, Burkhart has grown to realize true success in every element of what they bring to their clients.
In June 1934, this portrait of Dr. W. E. Burkhart was published in dental News along with an article honoring him for his pioneering career in dentistry.
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In 1888, Burkhart’s founder, Dr. William E. Burkhart, recognized the need for supplying the emerging Pacific Northwest and the growing dental community with dental supplies. He entered into a partnership with an old friend, Dr. Cyrus Van Winter, from Marshalltown, Iowa.
Mason Block Building (1888 - 1890) Site of Dr. Burkhart's first dental practice and The Dental Depot of Tacoma.
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Within a short time, the two enterprising dentists started the Tacoma Dental Depot, the forerunner to Burkhart Dental Supply and opened their doors for business at the “Mason Block Build” in Tacoma, Washington.
By 1890, Dr. Burkhart was recognized in Spike’s Magazine as supplying a “complete outfit of the most modern appliances for the practice of his profession.” Drawing upon previous experience as a printer and editorial staff member of the “Archives of Dentistry,” Burkhart decided to publish his own dental journal targeting the Northwest.
The first journal, published in 1891 was called the “Pacific Dental Journal.” It afforded a means for supplying dental professionals with shared remedies and treatments for their patients while advertising the newest and most innovative products available.
National Reality Building (1913 - 1924) The location of Burkhart Dental Supply company for over 20 years.
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On November 9, 1891, the Tacoma Dental Depot’s name was changed to Burkhart Dental Supply and incorporated two years later when Washington became a state. In October of 1893, Dr. Burkhart started and served as President of the Tacoma College of Dental Surgery. Burkhart taught operative dentistry and remained President through 1895. In 1898, The College was moved to Portland, Oregon and later became the University of Oregon, School of Dentistry. From the late 1890’s to the early 1900’s, the company experience unprecedented growth and change. Sometime between 1903 and 1905, Dr. Burkhart retired from his dental practice and turned his full attention to the supply company. A short time thereafter, William’s younger son, Archie Needham Burkhart entered the business.
A 1930's dental office. |
Archie replaced his father as President and manager of the company. Archie had worked for the company since 1910 and was elected as Secretary by the Board of Directors in 1916. By 1913, the company had moved it’s location to the “National Reality Building” in Tacoma, Washington. Despite the difficult Depression years, Burkhart Dental remained stable. William Burkhart passed away in 1937.
World War II proved to be trying times for Burkhart. Business decreased significantly, justifying a consolidation of the offices of President and Treasurer and the dissolution of the office of Vice President.
On September 10, 1945, near the end of the Second World War, Archie died unexpectedly at the age of 53. At the time, his sons, Everett and Perry Sr. were naval officers serving in the Pacific Theater. Archie’s untimely death brought his sons home from the war and straight into the family-owned business.
Perry Sr. shortly after receiving commission as communications officer, was later stationed on Ebeye Island in the South Pacific. |
Once home, Everett was named President while Perry Sr. took over the position of Vice President and Treasurer.
Everett, Chief Engineering Officer on the destroyer "The Lamson," does some siteseeing before departure.
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Everett and Perry Sr. expanded the firm exponentially. As young war veterans, they drew great local support from the dental community.
Everett preferred the sales aspect of the business while Perry Sr. preferred overseeing the business in general. Perry’s excellent managerial skills helped the company’s continued growth bringing it back to the viable position it had achieved prior to the Depression. Company growth warranted the construction of a new building.
With perseverance and sales expertise, the company continued to expand its sales territories. Art Anderson joined the firm to better serve the customers of Eastern Washington.
W. R. Rust Building (1924 - 1954) To accomodate growth, Burkhart Dental supply company moved to a larger facility.
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The early 1960’s brought unexpected growth to the dental community. With the addition of dental insurance to many business benefit packages, more dentists were in demand. In turn, dental schools began to expand their facilities. New innovations in technology and equipment were emerging along with new clinical techniques and procedures. The wave of change proved to be the driving force behind Burkhart decision to supply and build dental equipment, which it did for a number of years.
Burkhart's Center Street Building was completed in 1968 and housed eight fully functioning operatories. The space also doubled Burkhart's square footage, making room for more merchandise and equipment repairs.
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In 1967, the corporation purchased a large parcel of land and initiated plans for a new building referred to as “The Center Street Building,” which was completed in 1968. In addition to doubling the area for merchandise and equipment repair, the “ Center Street Building” was designed with eight functional operatories. These operatories serviced study clubs throughout the area for dentists to further their education and exchange ideas.
By 1968, the company had 32 employees in Tacoma, a branch office in Yakima and a region that supplied all of Washington, Alaska and part of Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The 1970’s brought further geographical growth.
By 1978, Burkhart implemented a computer system that facilitated great efficiencies for continued expansion. Management found the systems helped improve order filling, streamlined purchasing, consolidated inventory and reduced overhead.
Upon Perry Sr.’s retirement on July 17, 1981, history was written when the Board of Directors unanimously elected Gary Halsan to serve as Vice President and Chief Executive Officer. Working his way up from delivery boy, Halsan assumed the role of President in December of 1981 with Everett’s retirement. Everett continued his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Sadly, Halsan’s service was short-lived when he passed away suddenly in 1982 at the age of 42. His untimely death prompted an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors and the appointment of Perry Burkhart, Sr. as President. Perry Sr. continued to serve in this capacity until his second retirement in 1984 when his oldest son, Perry, Jr. assumed the presidential position. This brought the fourth generation of Burkhart’s into the leadership role. Perry Jr. began working for Burkhart in 1974 in the capacity of Territory Account Manager and Equipment Specialist. Everett and Perry Sr. continued to serve on the Board of Directors and as consultants for major company decisions.
1984 was a pivotal year for Burkhart Dental Supply. Perry Jr. inherited many challenges as the new President. The 1980’s brought high interest rates and high inflation. However, despite the challenges, through its six Northwest city branches, Perry Jr. embarked on a period of incredible growth. Over the next twenty years, Perry Jr. established nine additional branch locations in the West and Midwest and formulated his “Vision 2005” strategic plan.
One priority was to consolidate inventories from all the branches into one and streamline purchases. Technology advancement allowed for the effective use of a computerized inventory management system.
By 1991, additional growth necessitated a larger corporate facility with additional warehouse space. Burkhart moved to a 36,000 square foot complex which housed all corporate management offices, a distribution center and services. A major portion of the building was dedicated to product distribution which housed a computer-driven carrousel system to automate the order filling process.
Perry Jr. continued to implement new technologies to strengthen efficiency and support growth. In 1992, computer laptops were issued to all Burkhart Account Manager's to support accurate order entry and provide a purchasing history for each account.
Burkhart was now positioned to accommodate the unprecedented growth that occurred in the 1990s. In 1990, Burkhart opened a new location in Denver. In 1993, new branches in Phoenix, Arizona; Union City, California; and Sacramento, California were added. The company continued to expand and by 1997 added Dallas / Ft. Worth, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Houston, Texas followed in 1998. To facilitate distribution to the growing Midwest region, Burkhart opened a Dallas Distribution Center.
Burkhart President, Lori Burkhart Isbell and father, Perry Burkhart Jr.
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In the fall of 1998, Perry Jr. formulated his “Vision 2005” with a continued emphasis on the Burkhart Statement of Purpose that was developed in the late 1970’s. It concentrates on the key concepts of focusing on client success; upholding high ethical standards; and creating a work environment that focuses on the mutual benefit of the clients and “the people who are Burkhart.”
In 2001, Salt Lake City, UT became the 15th Burkhart branch location. And, by 2004, growth had necessitated a third distribution center in Reno, NV.
Under the leadership of Perry Jr. and with the network of strategically placed distribution centers and branch location, Burkhart grew from $13 million in sales in 1984 to $117 million in 2004.
This phenomenal growth was achieved not only through Perry’s leadership, but also through the dedication of Burkhart associates which can be seen in the very low turn-over rate of associates. Many associates credit this to the sincerity of the values-driven company.
In 2006, Perry Jr. retired bringing the fifth generation of Burkhart family leadership to the company. Lori Burkhart Isbell now President, brings with her that same sincerity and values-driven approach to the company.
The proud legacy of William Everett Burkhart lives on with the successive generations of Burkhart family leadership. William’s son, Archie, perpetuated the business while his sons, Everett and Perry Sr., greatly expanded the firm. Perry Sr.’s son, Perry, Jr. brought great innovation, foresight and growth. Now, over a century later, Perry Jr.’s daughter, Lori Burkhart Isbell, continues the tradition of the family-owned and operated business with great vision.
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