
From the beginning, Thomas F. Lilly had a vision to service his customers with the most innovative and useful products in the marketplace. Starting out primarily serving the painting industry, his vision was shifted to the ever emerging ice industry in the late 1920’s. He became somewhat of a pioneer by creating and patenting multiple devices that would simplify the process of sizing and bagging ice. Then, as refrigeration became more common by the end of WWII, it was once again time to adapt. By the late 40’s and early 50’s, the Lilly Company had evolved into a player in the material handling industry. The year 1952 marked the entry as a dealer for a major line of forklifts, as well as providing the parts and service for those products. Now, after nearly one hundred years of servicing the Mid-South and its neighbors, The Lilly Company is poised to continue its growth into an ever-changing market place.

1882 – The Lilly Carriage Company is incorporated in Memphis


1919 – T. F. Lilly founds The Lilly Brokerage Firm in Memphis TN


1929 – Thomas Lilly develops ice processing machine


1945 – End of World War II


1945 – From Ice to Material Handling


1948 – Thomas Lilly passes away


1948 – Thomas J. Clark, Jr. named as President


1952 – The Lilly Company becomes a dealer for Yale & Towne


1969 – New Location


1982 – Thomas J. Clark, III named President of The Lilly Company


1995 – Moved Memphis Operations center


2003 – Became exclusive dealer for Toyota Industrial Equipment for Memphis


2004 – The President’s Award


2005 – Brand Expansion – Clark


2006 – Increased Clark footprint


2015 – Expansion into Alabama


2016 – Preparing for 100 year anniversary


2019 – The Lilly Company turns 100 years old!
