(L to R) Phillip and Darlene Fuller own Fuller Welding and Fabricators, located off Salisbury Street in Mocksville.
In 1972, Phil Fuller set out to start his own business, embarking on a lifelong journey in local
manufacturing. At just 19 years old, his determination and passion for welding helped him lay the foundation for what would become Fuller Welding and Fabricators, Inc. (Fuller Welding) in Mocksville.
Today, over five decades later, Fuller Welding stands as a testament to his commitment to both
craftsmanship and the community. “I went through the Forsyth Technical Community College welding program in 1971. I started this business because I was interested in the welding profession, and now, it’s turned into so much more than that.”
The company creates high-quality metalwork, providing custom laser and water-jet cutting and several in-house CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining and fabrication services. “We’re a full-service metal fabrication and machining operation. We make parts for many different industries, like food, medical, transportation, retail, and advertising,” Fuller noted.
“We try to give good deliveries and provide quality products in a timely fashion. We give our customers what they want when they need it,” he shared.
Sparking Opportunities for Higher Education
Phil and Darlene Fuller have been enthusiastic supporters of the IGNITE DAVIE College Promise program since its inception. Like other founding community partners, they recognized that education is one of the most critical factors in a community’s economic success. More education means more opportunity for everyone.
By offering tuition assistance to attend Davidson-Davie Community College (DDCC), IGNITE DAVIE seeks to raise the educational attainment of Davie County students.
By the end of Fall 2023, nearly 350 students had benefited from scholarships that allowed them to attend DDCC tuition-free, enabling them to achieve over 130 certificates, degrees, and diplomas in students’ programs of choice.
“We’re probably educating students through IGNITE DAVIE who wouldn’t have the chance for higher education. I want everybody to have the opportunity to improve their future through education,” shared Fuller. “I saw firsthand what an education takes and what it does for students, and I want that for anybody who desires to develop this ability and has the drive to do that.”
A Commitment to Students is an Investment in the Next Generation
Now that the program has become permanently endowed, IGNITE DAVIE promises to serve the children of Davie County for generations to come. To date, the program has invested over $300,000 in local students.
“IGNITE DAVIE is set to be one of the most positive things that the people of Davie County have invested in,” stated Fuller. “We want to be a part of that. This will be a model program that other counties will try to mimic.”
Fuller Welding became the first IGNITE DAVIE Employer of Choice. The initiative was designed to encourage businesses to support IGNITE DAVIE while helping to raise the final $1 million to fully endow the College Promise program for future generations.
In addition to benefiting the local community, Fuller believes partnering with IGNITE DAVIE is simply good business. “My wife and I decided this was a really good investment for us. And I do see this as an investment; I don’t see this as a donation.”
“I want to challenge every business in Davie County to make a contribution to IGNITE DAVIE.” By aiming to train the next generation of workforce, IGNITE DAVIE enhances economic mobility for the community and strengthens the local labor force and economy. The Employer of Choice program takes this a step further, helping local businesses stay top of mind as students enter the workforce after graduation. This encourages our best and brightest to stay local.
“It’s good business for us to try to keep our young people in Davie County – to be educated and work here,” Fuller explained. “We want our students to have good-paying jobs, raise families, and be model citizens right here in Davie County. That’s what we are striving to do with IGNITE DAVIE,” shared Fuller.
Forging a Legacy
“As a business that has been here 52 years, we owe it to our county to participate in IGNITE DAVIE and make it a success,” shared Fuller. “We feel that our Lord has blessed us greatly over our 52 years of doing business, and we want to give back as much as we can.”
Fuller Welding welcomes the opportunity to hire IGNITE DAVIE graduates as well as graduates from any other local welding programs. To learn more, contact them about current opportunities.
