Keeling Company

In 1953, Joe Keeling was a traveling salesman covering all of Arkansas for Lewis Diesel Engine Company in North Little Rock, Arkansas. They were a Detroit Diesel Engine distributor who sold power units for everything, from running sawmills to re-powering trucks. During the years 1953-1955, there was a serious drought in Arkansas. As an avenue to sell more engines, Joe and the North Little Rock branch of Lewis Diesel Engine began to furnish engine and pump combinations to an agricultural market desperate for water and interested in a new irrigational method, which used aluminum pipe and sprinklers.   

In 1965, RCH decided to sell its North Little Rock store. As part of a deal struck with RCH, Joe Keeling received a security safe and a 1963 Chevrolet two-ton truck that he used, with help from his wife Helen, to found his own operation: Keeling Company.

While we began as a distributor for the agricultural market, in 1967 Keeling Company demonstrated serious growth in both service and diversity as Joe Keeling and Ed Shoemaker furnished one of the first 18-hole golf course irrigation systems in Hot Springs, AR at Belvedere Country Club. Since then and with the growing need for irrigation systems, we’ve expanded and now service residential, commercial, and recreational markets in addition to our agricultural base.

We are very proud to own all of our branches—currently 30! Ownership makes a statement to our employees and customers: we are here to stay through good times or bad—not just until the lease expires. Keeling Company is supported by loyal, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable employees. The customer is the cornerstone of our business and we are very proud of our diverse customer base, many with whom we have enjoyed doing business since Keeling Company began.

-Joe Keeling, Jr.