The history of Coker Pump and Equipment Company
Mr. Jack Coker, known to many at Mr. C took the leap of faith into business, starting Coker Pump and Equipment company in 1956 at a time when pump designs were quite limited. Taking the risk, assuming the liability and knowing there would be a big learning curve to face, he built the foundation with much sacrifice and made his company a success. Jack’s original trade was a machinist at a dry dock where he turned large merchant ship shafts on a lathe during World War II.
Jack Coker, although was not of the computer generation, invested $250,000 in a Basic Four IBM 2mb hard disk computer. This was unheard of at the time since many manufacturers did not have computers at the time. Mr. C’s philosophy was his employees were working in the dark and a computer was like turning on a light switch, giving them the ability to work more efficiently.
We have had to learn how to maintain and build upon the foundation that Jack built, many businesses succeed and then there is no one to carry the torch forward, if they are fortunate some have a second generation who take an interest learning the ropes of the business. Frequently that generation falters along the road. Very few have a third generation who will have an interest, the drive and same vision to carry the torch and the odds of continued success decreases. There are even fewer founders the have the good fortune to have a fourth generation with the same vigor and drive to learn not only the fundamentals but the traditions that have been handed down from their father. Jack Coker’s son Craig had worked at Jack’s side since age sixteen. Jack passed away in 2001. Craig’s son Erik has worked in business his whole life. Erik’s first job was emptying trash after school for .25 cents an hour, he worked summers in the shop drilling and tapping at age 13. This is the way of life in most family businesses. Craig passed away in 2023, now Erik’s two sons Evan and Cole have the will and drive to continue to learn the business and the company’s traditions to keep the company providing for the family for generations to come. Our knowledgeable employees, many of which have been with Coker Pump for decades and some have started as early as their 20’s, now have families of their own. It is Coker Pump’s goal to maintain operations where our employees want to come to work as we all succeed together.
Coker Pump’s first building was purchased in the early 1960’s at 1089 3rd Street Oakland, CA. Jack Coker purchased the building next door at 1055 3rd Street in late the 1960’s and moved operations into the larger facility. In the mid 1970’s Jack rented a small 2500 sq ft building in Salida, CA with only three employees. In early 1980’s Craig Coker went to Salida and Coker Pump purchased a 7 acre, 5000 sq ft building which has now been expanded to 10,000 sq ft. In addition, they purchased acreage surrounding the Salida property to allow for further expansion down the road. For many years Craig and Erik had wanted to open a facility in Northwest Nevada yet had never found the right opportunity. After Craig’s passing, Erik was able to find a practical starter facility and Coker Pump now has a location at 1085 Taylor Place, Fallon, NV to help support the growing industrial and manufacturing in the area.
Today, Coker Pump is managed by Erik Coker at the Oakland Headquarters, Juston Herrick in Salida and Todd Jones in Fallon, NV. Erik, Juston and Todd all went to High School together and all are United States Marines. This brotherhood helps maintain the commitment to the founding principles that are at the foundation of Coker Pump. Our fundamental principle, “When you solve the customer’s problems, you will have a customer for life”.
