By James Day
A Silverton agricultural freight company has been honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The SBA has named Wurdinger Enterprises the Portland District Family-Owned Small Business of the Year.
Owned and founded by Anthony (Tony) and Karen Wurdinger, Wurdinger Enterprises is a multi-generational family business, growing from humble beginnings to being an important part of the local agriculture industry offering tailored freight services to support the fruit and vegetable processing industry in the Willamette Valley.
The company started in 2008 with one truck and a trailer serving one processor. Today, the company has grown to a fleet of 12 trucks and 20 trailers operated by a team of 11 drivers and two mechanics supporting 59 local processors and farms.
Over the years, all five of Tony and Karen Wurdinger’s children have worked alongside their parents helping to grow the company. Two have returned and work full time in the business. A key employee, Chad Hunsucker, has been brought in as a shareholder allowing Tony and Karen to step away from daily activities in 2024 as part of their transition plan. Eventually Chad and their daughter Delany Wurdinger will take the reins of the company.
“We are deeply honored to receive [this] award,” said Tony Wurdinger. “We owe this achievement to the exceptional caliber of our employees who carry forth our commitment to honest and dependable service. Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in achieving our level of success. We look forward to building upon this achievement, continuing our journey of growth, and further enhancing our commitment to providing exceptional service to our valued customers and partners.”
