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In Face of Recession, Uncle Wally’s Founder Optimistic
February 12, 2009 – by Keiko Morris, Newsday.com
There is no such thing as a “bottom” in life, only waves.
At least that’s the view of Wally Amos, chairman and co-founder of the Shirley-based muffin company Uncle Wally’s. And while many in the world spend their time wondering where and when the “bottom” will occur, Amos flew in from his Hawaii home to celebrate the company’s wave of successes with its employees and business partners yesterday.
“I tell people to be positive regardless,” said Amos, clad in a shirt, hat and shoes covered with his favorite fruit – watermelon – and the words “Love” and “Peace.” “Don’t worry about anything, because worry hasn’t built anything yet.”
Uncle Wally’s, which built its bakery and headquarters in Shirley in 2001, has more than doubled its workforce since then. Sales at the company, which is privately owned, have increased annually, according to Michael Petrucelli, the chief financial officer.
The company has a 60,000- square-foot bakery and another 15,000-square-foot building in Shirley. It is planning to lease a space for a 25,000-square-foot bakery in Ronkonkoma in July 2009 and expects to hire 25 to 30 employees by December.
“We’re still thriving with great partners and a great workforce,” Petrucelli said.
Every year, the company acknowledges the top vendors with a plaque a donated to the charity of that vendor’s choice. This year, Amos, joined the party to thank everyone and share his sources of inspiration.
Uncle Wally’s, and indeed the baking industry, have seen tough days before the recession officially began in December 2007. The Atkins diet, a push toward health foods and the movement to ban trans fats in various cities took its toll. And Uncle Wally’s spent 21/2 years in bankruptcy protection before emerging intact in 1999, Amos noted.
Executives attribute the company’s prosperity to a philosophy of mutual respect and an openness to different ideas, but the backdrop of the recession has also made them realize how fortunate they are.
“Just the climate of what is going on in the economy is a concern,” said Lou Avignone, Uncle Wally’s chief executive and co-founder. “Fortunately, being in the food business, we are affected significantly less because people will continue to eat.”