From a Leather Satchel to Global Impact: The Legacy of Cor Lodder and Walinga
When you think of legacy in manufacturing, it's easy to imagine a long-standing company or an industry veteran who’s seen it all. But rarely do you hear a story that begins with a leather satchel on a ship crossing the Atlantic—and ends with a global business impacting over 60 countries.
That’s exactly what we heard in Episode 40 of The Germinate Podcast with Cor Lodder, recently retired from Walinga Inc, a Canadian manufacturer of agricultural transport equipment. In one of our most heartfelt and meaningful episodes to date, Cor shared his journey through 48 years of leadership, innovation, and unshakable faith.
Humble Beginnings: The Walinga Story
The Walinga story starts in the 1950s, when Cor's grandfather emigrated from the Netherlands to Canada with a dream of building truck bodies—and a small leather satchel filled with tools. That satchel wasn’t just baggage—it was a symbol of grit, faith, and craftsmanship.
After working for a truck body builder near Toronto, Cor’s grandfather launched Walinga Body & Coach, bringing his skills in wagon making and adapting them to a motorized world. The business, rooted in strong family and Christian values, eventually welcomed Cor’s father and uncle as partners, setting the stage for a multi-generational legacy.
“From one leather satchel to over 500 employees… that’s all by the grace of God.” – Cor Lodder
48 Years on the Floor, in the Office, and Everywhere in Between
Cor's own journey began sweeping shop floors at just 7 years old. He formally joined Walinga’s payroll in the 1970s, working his way up through production, manufacturing, and leadership roles. Over the decades, he helped Walinga evolve into a modern operation with facilities in Canada, the US, and Australia.
His impact was felt deeply in automation—leading the charge in bringing CNC technology to Walinga in the 1980s, and later pushing for robotic welding, digital integration, and even AI exploration through his mentorship of the third generation of leadership (G3).
Passing the Torch: G2 to G3
A major theme in our conversation was the idea of succession. Cor retired in July 2025, stepping away from full-time leadership to make space for the next generation.
“At some point, you realize you can't keep up anymore. And that’s okay—it means it's their time to shine.” – Joe Sampson
This handoff wasn’t abrupt. Like his father before him, Cor transitioned leadership organically—offering guidance, encouragement, and trust to those ready to carry the business forward. And G3 is doing just that, ushering in the next era of growth, technology, and globalization.
Innovation Rooted in Curiosity
From early CNC machines to today’s interest in laser welding and automation, Cor never stopped learning. Whether it was attending trade shows like FABTECH or experimenting with new tech, his approach was always “let’s try it.”
“You've got to keep dreaming. Think robotics, cobots, AI. Just like I did with CNC in the ‘80s.” – Cor Lodder
This forward-thinking attitude is a major reason Walinga continues to thrive—balancing time-tested craftsmanship with cutting-edge capabilities.
Tariffs, Trade & Cross-Border Realities
Cor offered a real-world look at how tariffs and international policy shifts impact manufacturers like Walinga. With 40% of their business still in Canada and the rest spread across the US, Mexico, and beyond, every change in regulation matters.
The expansion of their Michigan facility was one strategic response—reducing the cross-border shuffle of parts and finished goods to navigate rising costs and tariffs.
“Sometimes it was cheaper to build it in Canada, pay the tariff, and ship it—just so we could maintain quality and control.” – Cor Lodder
Business Built on Faith
Perhaps the most powerful moment of the episode was when Cor shared how faith in Jesus Christ is not just a personal belief—it’s the cornerstone of Walinga’s business.
“Faith, family, country, and work—in that order.” – Cor Lodder
Walinga’s culture is one of servant leadership—a value lived out by treating employees like family, mentoring future generations, and keeping humility at the forefront. It’s also why former employees still reach out years later, sharing how much the company meant to them.
As we both shared in the episode, the world needs more leaders grounded in truth, compassion, and purpose. Whether in manufacturing, ministry, or everyday life—being a light matters.
What We Can Learn From Cor Lodder
Legacy takes time – 70 years of growth started with one man, one dream, and one bag of tools.
Innovation requires persistence – Change takes patience and sometimes decades of convincing.
Leadership means letting go – Trust the next generation, empower them, and get out of their way.
Business can be a ministry – Faith and servant leadership aren’t just welcome—they’re necessary.
Final Thoughts
What Cor Lodder built with his family and team at Walinga isn’t just a company—it’s a living testimony to what happens when values drive vision.
From welding floors to boardrooms, from G1 to G3, from rural Canada to a global footprint, this story is one that reminds us: You don’t need to be loud to be legendary—you just need to be consistent, committed, and convicted.
Learn More:
Listen to the full episode: The Power of Passing the Torch
