Since the original Brinly plows of 1839, the Brinly-Hardy
Company has been actively listening to the needs of those who
use its products. Celebrating its 175th year in business in 2014,
the company has survived civil and world wars, societal shifts,
economic booms, recessions and depressions. Though so much
has changed, one ideal has remained constant: Maintaining a
constant focus on hearing the voice of the customer is the single
most important determinant of business longevity.
The Brinly plow
In the early 1800s, a blacksmith known as "Little" John Brinly
built high-quality handmade plows from his small shop in
Simpsonville, Ky. In 1837, his son, Thomas E.C. Brinly, designed
a new steel plow by modifying a saw blade. By 1839, the new
plow design was ready for sale to the general public. With its new
smooth-scouring moldboard, the Brinly plow became well known
throughout the country for its durability and performance,
cutting through the sticky clay soils of the South.
Demand for Brinly's plows increased quickly, surpassing the
productive capacity of the Simpsonville shop. By moving the
thriving business to Louisville, Ky., and forming a partnership with
businessman James E. Hardy, the company was able to increase
its manufacturing and distribution capacities. Expanding the
product line to include a broad selection of tillage equipment and
Hearing the voice of the customer
■ By BRAD TURNER
32 OCTOBER 2014 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com
FEATURE SToRy | Anniversary Series Special
Brinly-Hardy Company
celebrates 175
th
anniversary
