Bob Nowell started Alco Fence Company in 1974 in the basement of their home.  Alco Fence Company specialized in commercial and residential chain link in the Parkersburg, West Virginia area.  In 1981, Bob Nowell decided to expand to the Fairmont, West Virginia area.  In 1982, Bob died of a heart attack while vacationing with his wife Mary on her birthday. At this time, the Fairmont location had barely broken ground. Bob left his wife and two sons to carry on the business, both of whom were barely out of college. In 1985 Ken bought the Parkersburg office and Vince bought the Fairmont office from their mother.

Times were very tough through the 1980's, as West Virginia had (and still maintains) one of the highest unemployment rates and lowest standards of living.

Despite these tough times, Alco Fence Company went on to become the largest fence company in West Virginia.  We are rapidly becoming one of the largest fence companies in the country.  The sole reason for Alco's success is their employees. We have been fortunate to have a very low turnover rate.  Our employees are profit-sharing participants and our customers benefit from their strong feeling of ownership.

In 2003, Vince and his wife Suzie decided to headquarter their national paint business, Alco Fence Painters, to Fort Myers, Florida. Soon after the Nowell's moved to Florida, the hurricanes started. Vince and Suzie decided to start another fence company in Fort Myers, in addition to the paint business.

In May of 2008, Alco purchased the Vienna office, AlcoAmerifence.  The Nowell family has at least two more fence locations on the drawing boards.