Bio – Derek Weaver
Born 1962 in Shawnee Oklahoma, his Dad rode Bobbers and Triumphs while growing up. At age 6, (1968) he wrote Santa for a mini-chopper. In 1969 Derek lost his Dad in an auto accident with a drunk driver.
Derek's mother remarried Ken Thompson who was an avid car enthusiast and owned his own automotive equipment business. Ken bought Derek and his brother Mack a pair of Suzuki 50 mini-bikes and later moved them up to Suzuki 125 dirt bikes. Starting in 1977 at the age of 15, Derek began working at Ken’s equipment business in Fort Worth, Texas. Ken was the Factory representative for FMC Corporation’s automotive service equipment division (currently owned by Snap-On Tools). Ken Thompson Company was responsible for sales and service of Wheel Alignment, Computer Wheel Balancing, Brake Lathes, Engine Analyzers, Tire Changing and Lifting equipment for Oklahoma and most of Texas. Derek’s passion for cars along with Ken’s knowledge of the automotive industry drove his interest in working at his step-fathers business.
By 1980, Derek had served as a factory certified service technician for both FMC Corporation and Ken Thompson Company. Derek lost his brother Mack (1982) in a motorcycle accident with an elderly man that turned left in front of him. By 1983, Derek was appointed to the position of service manager along with equipment sales and got married. In 1984, at the age of 22, Derek was signed as the factory sales and service representative for FMC Corporation in Texas. This was the beginning of Derek Weaver Company, Inc. and Ken’s move into the emerging above-ground Lift industry. During the next 5 years Derek successfully ran the Texas territory for FMC Corporation, selling and servicing various local distributors and national accounts including Wal-Mart, Goodyear, Pep-Boys, Exxon, General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, Western Auto, Auto Zone, etc... 1989 marked the move away from being a factory representative for FMC and into the Distribution business. Derek Weaver Company has distributed products for FMC, Rotary, Snap-On Tools, Hofmann, RTI, Forward Mfg., Nussbaum, Beissbarth, John Bean, Autoscan, Benwil, Grand, Norco, Lisle, Ace Tool, Alltest, VBM, Challenger, and many others.
In 2002, Derek partnered with Ken Thompson to found
Direct-Lift. Direct-Lift began as a division of Derek Weaver Co., Inc. and was based on Derek and Ken’s marketing strategies. Later in 2002, Eric Shen and John Chang became manufacturing partners with Derek and Ken in an effort to grow the product line. Derek not only is the founding member of Direct-Lift but also operates the Direct-Lift sales and distribution warehouse in Fort Worth, Texas.
By 2004, Direct-Lift became the largest U.S. supplier of Lifts to the hobbyist industry in just 3 years. By utilizing their volume manufacturing in an ISO 9001 Certified plant, Direct-Lift has been able to deliver high quality products at “Direct Prices”. Direct-Lift’s unique marketing approach has given the buyer the most cost effective way to buy a quality Lift.
2008 marks the 24th Anniversary of Derek Weaver Company, Inc., and the 32nd year of Derek’s experience in the automotive industry. A passion to compete and a desire to serve the customer before, during and after the sale have been instrumental to Derek’s success and longevity.