Hogeye Welding
Owner: Douglas Earl Gilbert
Location: Fayetteville, Ark.
History: “I was raised in no man’s land outside of Fayetteville and went to Fayetteville High School where I learned welding from Bill Cook at the West Campus, or vocational center. He taught me the skills to add to my natural passion for repair. I bought our homestead from my folks in the ‘80s while I ran a welding shop in Fayetteville. There weren’t and still aren’t many of us around, and farmers really needed someone like me. I originally built a shop on my property in 1999 as a hobby but soon found the new shop to be a much better location for my business which is about 75 percent farm-based. Subsequently, I moved my business here in the country.”
Services: “I don’t fabricate new parts but will repair just about anything. The majority of my business is repairing brush hogs, mowing machines, rotary cutters, trailers, front-end loaders and anything to do with welding repair on tractor equipment. People drop equipment off and come get them when they’re done. I just recently purchased a 10,000 pound lift to add greater flexibility in repairs such as changing out wheel bearings and repairing bent tongues on utility trailers. Work walks in everyday. Right now I am working on two plow blades, a hay bailer and a log trailer with other work backed up.”
Philosophy: “Being honest is the most important thing because repeat customers make a business like mine. You have to have a skill people want and need. Everybody does something for a living, and I like repair especially if it is something they think can’t be fixed. That brings people back. I like being my own boss.”
Story and Photo By Terry Ropp
