Insights: Blaine Dempke, CEO, Markey
Established in 1907 as the Industrial Revolution arrived to Seattle, Markey is the oldest privately-held winch manufacturer in the United States today. The company was formed in the Georgetown District of what later became known as King County, Wash. The Markey sign above its original manufacturing plant, on Horton Street, is still retained, although Markey has since moved to its current facility on 8th Avenue South.Markey was a major supplier to the U.S. Navy in both world wars…
Markey Machinery Attracts Outside Investment to Expand
Markey Machinery is a storied marine company, starting operations in 1907, when a Charles Markey, fresh from a two-year trading expedition on the Alaska and Siberian coast, launched the C.H. Markey Machinery Company serving both the marine and logging industries.Today Markey Machinery serves as a global leader in the marine deck equipment and winch industry, a position that it seeks to grow with the announcement that it closed outside investment with Christian Schiller and Brian Bogen to take the company to the next level.To its broad maritime client base…
Markey’s Mark on the Deck Machinery
105 years young, Markey Machinery has a strong history in the workboat and oceanographic market, and according to Blaine Dempke the orderbook is full and the future is bright. Blaine Dempke, President, Markey Machinery, is somewhat like the company he leads: long-term and steady, as the 30+ year veteran explained. “I began my career at Markey Machinery in 1978 as an entry level drafter and worked my way up through engineering,” Dempke said. “In 1996 I was made president, and my compatriot on the shop floor, Robert LeCoque, was made vice president.
