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  • Step Back in Time with a Glimpse into Brooks Equipment’s History

     

    Our History

    Experience That Works

    We opened our doors in 1941 with a simple promise: we will offer quality products at fair prices, with great service. Sticking with what works—that most basic principle of American entrepreneurship—we grew steadily through the '40s, '50s, and '60s. In 1970, we opened our first branch warehouse in Charlotte, North Carolina, which became our corporate headquarters in 1979. Through the last three and a half decades, we have expanded our product line, our services and our warehouse locations to better serve you.

    We appreciate the trust you have placed in us. Your loyalty is quite possibly the most remarkable part of our story. From our modest beginnings to our status as one of the largest business-to-business suppliers in the industry, we are still committed to our original promise: quality products at fair prices, with great service. That's been our philosophy for over 75 years, and it is still our promise today.

    75 Years of Brooks Equipment at a Glance

    Here is a glimpse back at some of the things that we feel helped shape our future, making us what we are today -
    "The First Choice of Fire Equipment Distributors" everywhere.

    The Foundation 
    1941 thru 1969

    1941 Stephen Brooks and Charles Neal founded Brooks Equipment Corporation of California in San Francisco.
    1944 Brooks opens offices in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and New York.
    1952 Charles Neal becomes sole owner of Brooks Equipment.
    1948 Trade Show

    1948 Fire Equipment Trade Show

    The Expansion
    1970 thru 1999

    1970 Brooks opens a warehouse in Charlotte, NC
    1975 First Brooks Equipment Product Catalog is published.
    (23 pages, Black and White)
    1979 Brooks publishes the first Extinguisher Pictogram pages in this year's catalog.
    1985 Brooks introduces a full line of Plastic Extinguisher Cabinets.
    1987 Pre-Engineered System Parts and Accessories are added to the Brooks lineup.
    1992 Brooks broadens its Standpipe/Sprinkler line.
    1994 Brooks expands its offering into Fire Alarm products.
    1996 Brooks introduces its first Safety Line Guide.
    1997 Brooks offers Private Labeled catalogs to customers for the first time.
    1999 Brooks introduces 24/7/365 Online Ordering.
    First Printed Catalog

    First Printed Catalog

    Plastic Fire Extinguisher Cabinets

    Plastic Fire Extinguisher Cabinets

    More Than Just Parts 
    2001 thru 2005

    2001 Brooks introduces FireExtinguisherTraining.com and its own line of Custom Printable Flag Seals.
    2002 Hot Topics is introduced.
    2003 Brooks introduces ServiceFire.com.
    2004 Brooks creates Fire Protection Cares.
    2005 Brooks adds E-Light and Fire Alarm Training.
    First Hot Topics

    Hot Topics

    Today 
    2011 thru Present

    2011 Brooks introduces its FireTechTM line of products.
    2012 The Brooks Reward Program is introduced.
    2013 Brooks introduces its Mobile Website and the Rewards Technician Series.
    2019 Brooks publishes its latest Full-Color Catalog.
    (360 pages)
    2020 Brooks helps FEDs across the world protect and preserve their businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
    Brooks Logo with Map

    Brooks Equipment Warehouse Map