History

Over a Century of Making South Carolina More Comfortable

1903: William B. Guimarin moves to Columbia to work on Columbia’s first skyscraper now known as the Barringer building.

1926: W.B. Guimarin installs the first air conditioning system in Columbia.

1937: Mr. Guimarin retires and sells WBG to Edmund Rhett Heyward, his former banker and bookkeeper.

1947: Mr. E.R. Heyward’s son, Albert R. Heyward takes over WBG.

1979: Mr. A.R. Heyward sells WBG to his son, Carroll, and his nephew, Church Powers.

2003: WBG celebrates its 100th anniversary.

2015: WBG continues to grow its reputation for excellence as the leadership of Carroll Heyward and Church Powers transitions to the 4th generation of Heyward family ownership, Sidney Heyward Rex and C. Carroll Heyward, Junior.