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Equipment Painting & Commercial Equipment Branding - Check Out Our ONLINE GALLERY
Business marketing 101 - an eye-catching paint job helps spread the word about your company. Imagine all the vendors,...
About Us
Since 1919, The Lilly Company has helped businesses across the Mid-South run safe, profitable and competitive operations.
1882
November 20, 1882
The Lilly Carriage Company Is Incorporated In Memphis
Owen Lilly, older brother of T.F. Lilly, incorporates the Lilly Carriage Company in Memphis TN, November 20, 1882. The Carriage Company specialized in horse drawn carriages, harnesses and also manufactured some early automobiles.
1919
T. F. Lilly Founds The Lilly Brokerage Firm In Memphis, TN
Thomas F. Lilly founds The Lilly Brokerage Firm,
which later becomes The Lilly Company in Memphis TN. The primary focus was taking large bulk quantities (55 gal. drum and larger) of products, such as petroleum jelly and linseed oil, and breaking them down and repackaging them into smaller, more consumer sized packages. As a result, the painting industry was a major focus.
1919
1929
Thomas Lilly Develops Ice Processing Machine
Thomas Lilly built a machine that crushed 300 lb. blocks of ice & carried the chips along a conveyor for diverting and sorting into bags by size. This became a very profitable venture: In 1925, ice was the only method for keeping food cold. The business thrived in this form until World War II and the invention of refrigeration.
1945
End Of World War II
The end of World War II signifies a shift in the marketplace as on-site refrigeration becomes more common.
1945
1945
From Ice To Material Handling
Lilly salvaged from his ice crusher the one aspect that had a future in 1945: the conveyor system. He recognized that material handling offered great opportunity for industrial growth and he wanted to be a part of it.
1948
Thomas Lilly Passes Away
Thomas Lilly passes away, Thomas J. Clark Jr. leads the company towards continued growth.
1948
1948
Thomas J. Clark, Jr. Named As President
Thomas J. Clark, Jr. Named as President of The Lilly Company.
1952
The Lilly Company Becomes A Dealer For Yale & Towne
Became a dealer for Yale & Towne lift trucks. First forklift delivered to Pidgeon-Thomas Iron Company in Memphis.
1952
1969
New Location
The Lilly Company outgrew the Union Ave. location and moved facilities to Fleetbrook.
1982
Thomas J. Clark, III Named President Of The Lilly Company
By 1982, Tom was ready to turn over the business to the next generation, and his son Thomas J. Clark, III (Ret. U.S. Army, Major) became president after serving 20 years in the military as a commander and pilot of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
1982
1995
Moved Memphis Operations center
Moved Memphis operations center to current location on Knight Arnold Road.
2003
Became Exclusive Dealer For Toyota Industrial Equipment For Memphis
Became the exclusive dealer for Toyota Industrial Equipment for the Memphis and Mid-South Region.
2003
2004
The President’s Award
First awarded The Presidents Award from Toyota Material Handling. This is the highest award a dealer can achieve.
2005
Clark Brand Expansion
Expanded with a new brand line by adding Clark into the East Tennessee region.
2005
2006
Increased Clark Footprint
Increased Clark footprint by acquiring and adding Birmingham and Madison Alabama locations.
2015
Expansion Into Alabama
Acquired Alabama territory for Toyota Industrial Equipment. Four Toyota locations added in Alabama: Irondale, Dothan, Mobile and Montgomery.
2015
2016
Preparing For 100 Year Anniversary
As The Lilly Company approaches its 100 year anniversary, the leadership team is poised to continue growing our footprint, our presence in the market, and our people.
2019
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
The Lilly Company turns 100 in 2019. We celebrate 100 years and continue to treat our customers the way we would want to be treated.
2019
Today
100 Years of Expertise and Integrity
You have a trusted partner in the material handling business.
100 Years of Expertise
Since 1919, we’ve been helping businesses grow and maintain their operation without making costly mistakes along the way.
We wouldn’t have made it over 100 years without genuine expertise and integrity. At The Lilly Company, we’re real people who treat you like a real person.
