Our History
In 1926, A.E. Finley began his career in Raleigh as a salesman for a heavy equipment company. In 1929, he and his business partners founded Raleigh Tractor and Truck Company. By 1931, Mr. Finley started his own firm, North Carolina Equipment Company. Ten years later a network of heavy equipment companies stretched across five southeastern states, becoming the largest equipment distributorship in the United States. These networks lead to the establishment of many companies in widely diversified fields of business and industry.
Successful businesses were only a starting point for Mr. Finley. He soon became a major benefactor to hospitals, churches, colleges, universities and other educational institutions. In 1957, Mr. Finley established the A. E. Finley Foundation which has continued his legacy of giving. The Foundation provides grants to worthy nonprofits working in the areas of educational and life skills training; job readiness and meaningful work and human and community services. The framework of their giving legacy is that nonprofit services and programs be offered within a free market that provides economic opportunity for all.
