HISTORY AND INFORMATION ON RICHARDS EQUIPMENT, LLC
RICHARDS FAMILY HISTORY
The beginning of Richards Equipment, LLC dates back to
the early 1900’s. J.V. Richards founder of
Richards & Sons Construction, Company, Inc., worked on his father’s small crop farm in Blount County, Alabama plowing with a pair of mules during the
summer and snaking logs out of the woods during the winter. In May of 1942, J.V. married Anna Hathcock,
who was also been raised working on her family’s farm. The couple continued the family tradition of
farming while raising four children; Nancy, Faye, Buddy and Fred.
J.V.’s first exposure to heavy earth moving equipment was when he was called into the service during World War II. During this time he worked in the Corp of Engineers building roads and bridges to serve the troops. While J.V. was in the service, Anna and the two oldest children continued to work the family farm; however, when J.V. returned, farming was not as lucrative as it had been. The family moved their farm to Jefferson County, Alabama so that J.V. could take a job for Tennessee Coal and Iron (TCI).
TCI and the farm allowed J.V. to gain more experience with heavy equipment. At TCI, he was using equipment in the ore mines pushing ore to the feeders. One the farm, the family expanded into raising cattle and hay, which required new types of equipment. Richards Coal yard began in 1958 when J.V. saw a need for providing local residents with coal for heating their homes. Anna, Nancy and Buddy ran this business while J.V. worked at US Steel.
J.V.’s first exposure to heavy earth moving equipment was when he was called into the service during World War II. During this time he worked in the Corp of Engineers building roads and bridges to serve the troops. While J.V. was in the service, Anna and the two oldest children continued to work the family farm; however, when J.V. returned, farming was not as lucrative as it had been. The family moved their farm to Jefferson County, Alabama so that J.V. could take a job for Tennessee Coal and Iron (TCI).
TCI and the farm allowed J.V. to gain more experience with heavy equipment. At TCI, he was using equipment in the ore mines pushing ore to the feeders. One the farm, the family expanded into raising cattle and hay, which required new types of equipment. Richards Coal yard began in 1958 when J.V. saw a need for providing local residents with coal for heating their homes. Anna, Nancy and Buddy ran this business while J.V. worked at US Steel.
The business continued to grow and in 1992 Nelson
Hutcheson (Nancy’s husband) was hire as the first employee that focused
strictly on estimating and management.
In 1998, Fred left Harbert to assist in the management of field
operations and work for the family business full time. Later in 1008, Buddy retired from police work
and started managing the repair and maintenance of the equipment full time.
Over 29 years, Richards & Sons grew and evolved into full service site preparation contractor working for owners and general contractors all over Alabama. As the years passed, J.V., Anna, Nancy, Buddy and Nelson retired from the day to day operations, leaving Fred as the sole controller. Upon the passing of J.V., Fred decided to change full time operations to Richards Equipment, LLC. Since January 2014, we have been working on various projects performing demolition, site preparation, installation of erosion control, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and the installation of Fire Lines and water lines. We strive to continue building our business on the value instilled in us by J.V. and look forward to making you and your job a part of our story.
Over 29 years, Richards & Sons grew and evolved into full service site preparation contractor working for owners and general contractors all over Alabama. As the years passed, J.V., Anna, Nancy, Buddy and Nelson retired from the day to day operations, leaving Fred as the sole controller. Upon the passing of J.V., Fred decided to change full time operations to Richards Equipment, LLC. Since January 2014, we have been working on various projects performing demolition, site preparation, installation of erosion control, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and the installation of Fire Lines and water lines. We strive to continue building our business on the value instilled in us by J.V. and look forward to making you and your job a part of our story.
STAFF
Fred Richards, Managing Member
Fred graduated in 1984 from the University of Southern
Mississippi with a degree in engineering.
He worked as a superintendent for B.L. Harbert prior to taking over the
family business in 1998. Fred believes
in hands on management and strives to visit each job site daily.
Jason H. Jackson, Engineer / Estimator / Office Manager
Jason graduated from the University of Alabama in 1999
with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He is a licensed engineer in the State of
Alabama with over 17 years of experience.
He began working with Richards & Sons Construction Company Inc. in
2011 and continued with Richards Equipment, LLC since 2014. He handles the office responsibilities as
well as performs the project estimation and bids.
Chris Mitchell, Superintendent
John Richards, Pipe Foreman
John started working with Richards & Sons
Construction Company, Inc. in 2009 as an operator. He later was promoted to Pipe Foreman in 2014
for Richards Equipment, LLC. He now
handles the day to day operations of the pipe crew.
