History of WIS
Since its establishment in 1993, Wakefield Inspection Services, a privately owned international company, has developed the reputation of a robust and reliable organization whose factual and concise reports are highly respected and recognized worldwide by Governments, Insurance Companies, Banks and International Trade Merchants. Edward T. Robertson & Son (ETR), a privately owned firm of international cotton controllers was established in Bremen, Germany in 1906, and rapidly expanded by opening branches in major cotton producing and consuming countries. ETR became the worldwide leader in cotton controlling and during the late sixties, was purchased by Esperanza Trade and Transport Ltd. of London. In 1993, Wakefield Inspection Services Ltd., Liverpool acquired the assets of ETR & Son, Inc. and ETR & Son, Ltd. to continue the tradition of excellence that began in 1906.
A native of Liverpool, Frank Wakefield began his career in the cotton industry at age 17, as an apprentice in the Raw Cotton Commission. He continued serving the industry at McGregor and Co, a private Liverpool broker after the cotton industry was privatized by the Tories in 1953. In 1956 he joined J.L. Clark in Johannesburg where he bought seed cotton from growers, exported cotton to Europe and acted as an agent on imported cotton. Frank took his 10 years of cotton expertise with him to ETR in 1959 to become Assistant Manager of their operations in Japan. In 1967 he became the Japan Manager, a position he held until 1973, when he was appointed Far East Manager. Along with his wife Helen, they raised four boys who would grow to share Frank's love of the cotton industry. Frank served as the Far East Manager for 3 years and in 1976 was transferred back to Liverpool to become the Operations Executive of the ETR Group. Frank moved to the U.S. as part of a company reorganization in 1983, where he continued to manage the world-wide operations of ETR. When faced with retirement in 1993, Frank was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to purchase the assets of ETR & Son, Inc. and ETR & Son, Ltd., which he had so devotedly developed over his 34 years. A fifty plus year veteran of the cotton controlling industry, Frank is respected and admired by his peers and competitors alike. His tradition continues through the work of his sons, Peter and Greg, who still rely upon his consultancy for the knowledge that only 50+ years of experience in the cotton and controlling industry can offer.
Through our global network, WIS handles a majority of all raw cotton shipments that are subject to weighing, sampling or quality inspection before shipment or after landing. Our network is continually expanding and operates on your behalf seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year.
Because we remain independent of buyers and sellers, and maintain a rigorous quality compliance program to ensure that all employees operate ethically and with due diligence, Wakefield Inspection Services is the answer to your cargo surveying and inspection needs.
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