Quinn Celebrates 90 Years!

Our history began in 1919 when Quinn Company supplied the Killifer Disc and Holt Tractor to the Fresno area farmers in their quest to develop the great San Joaquin Valley into the world’s richest agricultural region. In 1925, when Holt and Best Tractor Company merged to form Caterpillar Tractor Co. (now Caterpillar Inc.), Quinn became its dealer in the Fresno and Madera County area. Since then, we have expanded through acquisitions and grown along with the economy of California.

Historical Timeline:

1919: Budd & Quinn, Inc. was founded by Joseph A. Quinn and C. C. Budd to supply the Killifer Disc and Holt Tractor to the Fresno area farmers in their quest to develop the great San Joaquin Valley.

1925: When Holt and Best merged to form Caterpillar Tractor Co. (now Caterpillar Inc.), Quinn became its dealer for Fresno and Madera counties.

1926: Joseph A. Quinn established the first dealership in Peoria, Illinois, the site of Caterpillar’s headquarters.  Peoria Tractor and Equipment Co. was operated by Joseph A. Quinn until it was sold in 1947.

1954 Bradley Quinn, the founder’s son, became head of the company.

1958: Quinn Company was formed and expanded into Tulare County.

1963: Expansion continued into Monterey and San Benito Counties through the acquisition of Pringle Tractor Co.

1965: A new, modern 90-acre facility was established as company headquarters in Fresno.

1974: The company built an 11-acre facility in Salinas to serve the coastal counties.

1978: Additional service facilities were established in Fresno for engines, on-highway truck and lift trucks.  Also, a separate used parts facility was opened.

1979: Blake Quinn, the founder’s grandson, assumed control of the Company, and continues to lead today.

1983: The company expanded into Kings, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties through the acquisition of Wallace Machinery Co.

1996: Quinn Lift, the forklift division opened in Yuma, Arizona.  In addition, Quinn entered the Rental Services business by opening a new store in Tulare.

1997: A new location was opened in Firebaugh.

1998: Quinn Rental Services acquires Easter Rents and establishes store locations in Santa Maria, Paso Robles and Nipomo.

1999: Quinn Rental Services opens a new store in Salinas.

2000: Quinn Rental Services opened a new store in Oxnard.

2002: Quinn Rental Services opened a second store location Fresno, and a new location in Bakersfield.

2003: Quinn acquires Shepherd Machinery Co., the Southern California Caterpillar dealer, expanding into Los Angeles, Orange and the remainder of Kern counties.

2004: Quinn Rental Services opens a new location in San Luis Obispo.

2006: Quinn Rental Services opens a new store location in Pomona.

Now in our third generation of family ownership, our operations span fifteen counties throughout central and southern California, including Arizona. Quinn now has 22 locations from Salinas to Foothil Ranch with more than 800 employees to serve our customers.

We are proud of the success we have built with the help of our customers, our employees and Caterpillar.

Posted on January 2, 2009

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