Our Company History
Burkhart maintains its company mission and culture through over a century of change.
Nearly 138 years ago, William E. Burkhart, D.D.S., recognized a need to provide dentists not only with the best tools for caring for their patients, but with the education to care for their patients in the best way. Hence, Burkhart Dental Supply (originally named Tacoma Dental Depot) was started in Tacoma, Wa., in 1888.
Since then, the company has been handed down through five generations of family. But the original mission – to provide the customer with great service – and the strong company culture based on teamwork and satisfied employees, has remained intact. Even in today’s electronic age, where dentists can gather product information and order supplies online, the people who run Burkhart Dental Supply maintain that dental customers still want – and benefit from – traditional face-to-face service from dedicated sales reps.
A Period of Growth
In 1974, when Perry Burkhart Jr. joined the company as a territory account manager and equipment specialist, he did not foresee the company’s growth he would eventually manage. Upon the retirement of his father, Perry Burkhart Sr., in 1984, Perry Burkhart Jr. was appointed president. Despite the 1980s being a decade of high interest rates and inflation, Perry Jr. embraced opportunities and new technology, adding 12 branch locations over the next 20 years.
In 1991, he moved the company to a larger, 36,000-square-foot complex, which housed the corporate management offices and distribution center. Recognizing the opportunities that computers presented, he automated the new distribution center and, the following year, issued laptops to all account managers to support order entry and provide a purchasing history for each account.
As the company turned a corner and entered the new millennium, Burkhart opened its 15th branch in Salt Lake City, Utah. During Perry Jr.’s presidency, Burkhart Dental Supply grew from $13 million to $117 million. In 2006, Burkhart Jr. turned over his presidency to his daughter, Lori Burkhart Isbell, who remains president today.
Timeline
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1880
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1888
Dr. William E. Burkhart starts Tacoma Dental Depot in Tacoma, Washington, to supply the emerging dental community in the Pacific Northwest with dental supplies.
1891
Tacoma Dental Depot is renamed Burkhart Dental Supply.
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1930
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1937
William E. Burkhart passes away. Son Archie Burkhart is appointed president of the company.
1945
Archie Burkhart dies unexpectedly at age 45. His sons, Everett and Perry Burkhart Sr., take over the company as president and vice president, respectively.
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1950
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1956
Yakima branch opens.
1967-1968
Burkhart builds a new facility, doubling its warehouse and showroom, and including eight operatories, which services study clubs for dentists.
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1970
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1974
Spokane branch opens.
1978
Burkhart implements its first computer system.
1979
Anchorage branch opens.
1981
Perry Burkhart Sr. retires. The board elects Gary Halsan, who worked his way up from delivery boy, as vice president and CEO.
1982
Halsan passes away at age 42. Perry Burkhart Sr. returns to serve as president.
1984
Perry Burkhart Jr. is appointed president.
Portland branch opens.
1987
Eugene branch opens.
1989
San Diego branch opens.
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1990 - Today
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1990
Denver branch opens.
1991
Burkhart Dental Supply moves to a new 36,000-square-foot complex, which houses all corporate management offices and a distribution center.
1993
Phoenix, Sacramento, and Union City branches open.
1997
Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Dallas branches open.
Irving Distribution Center opens.
1998
Houston branch opens.
2001
Salt Lake City branch opens.
2004
Reno Distribution Center opens.
2006
Perry Burkhart Jr. names daughter Lori Burkhart Isbell President of Burkhart and remains Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Boise and Austin branches open.
2007
Lakewood Distribution Center opens.
2019
Burkhart expands into Kansas and Missouri.