Sixty years ago, Gregory Poole Equipment Company began as a dealer of heavy construction equipment for Caterpillar Tractor Company in order to better serve the Old North State. Gregory Poole now provides equipment sales and services for the agriculture, construction, forestry, industrial, marine, on-highway truck and electric power generation markets.
On April 1, 2011, Gregory Poole celebrated its 60th birthday. Employees, retirees and special guests attended simultaneous luncheons in 14 different locations on March 31, 2011, to commemorate the founding of the company on April 1, 1951.
“This is an exciting time for the history of this company, because achieving 60 years in business is no small feat,” said Gregory Poole III, chairman, president and CEO of Gregory Poole Equipment Company. “This anniversary signifies that we’re not just a 60-year-old company, but we’re a company that is highly innovative, creative and has a very bright future. I’m more excited now than I ever have been about the future of this company and all that we bring to bear.”
Gregory Poole was founded in Raleigh, N.C., by James Gregory Poole Sr., and his uncle, William Lewis Gregory. Since its beginning in 1951, it has expanded to more than seven divisions and employs more than 800 employees at 21 facilities located throughout the eastern parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The company remains family-owned today by James Gregory Poole III, who has been chairman and CEO since 1999.