Our History
In the late summer of 1961 Charles Revels and Wayne Stone decided to start a new business selling and servicing chain saws and lawn mowers. The new business was named Stone and Revels Repair Service and was founded on the idea of fair pricing and excellent service. This company was the foundation for Revels Tractor Co. After 3 years Stone moved his family back to his home farm in Robeson County, North Carolina and sold his interest in the business to Revels.
The company, now known as Revels Repair Service, expanded its product lines to include David Brown tractors and farm implements. Charles Revels was a farmer, a timber cutter and a businessman. He knew the value of hard work, good equipment and service. He integrated those values into his business and was rewarded with great success. In 1963 Charles' nephew, Billy Hip came to work in the business and a couple years later Charles' brother, Bobby Revels joined the company. The growth of the company required a move to a larger facility just down the street from where they began. In 1968 Charles incorporated the business and changed the name to Revels Tractor Co. Inc. while making Billy and Bobby partners.
In 1969 the company signed an agreement to become a John Deere dealer and moved from downtown Fuquay-Varina to the current location north of town on Highway US401. During the 70's Revels Tractor Co. saw aggressive growth in the agriculture and the lawn maintenance business. Revels Tractor was consistently recognized as one of John Deere's top selling dealers in North Carolina. During this time 4 of Charles and Annie Laurie Revels' children joined the company in different capacities. Their fifth kid, Kent, followed his love of the land and took over the farming operation. Turner started employment with the company after graduating from Elon College in 1974, Jeff in 1976 and Chris and Julie in 1977.
During the late 70's and early 80's the high interest rates and a severe downturn in the agriculture economy caused the company to look for new areas of growth and revenue. Wake County was exploding with residential and commercial growth that made the landscape and lawn maintenance business a viable choice for growth. An out growth of that was interest in the golf maintenance industry. Turner Revels led the push to bring on product lines focused on commercial turf and golf course maintenance. It was a natural fit in 1986 when John Deere decided to develop a new sales division focused on the golf and turf business and make Revels Tractor Co. Inc. one of the first distributors of these new products. A new era begin for Revels Tractor Co. as they entered a marketplace that knew little of the company or the products.
The following year Revels Tractor opened a new location in the golf capital known as Myrtle Beach. The core values of the golden rule, integrity and stewardship that Charles Revels had instilled in his company became strengths that helped Revels Tractor become successful in the golf industry. Since the inception of John Deere Golf, Revels Tractor Co. has been one of Deere's top volume distributors. Revels Tractor has taken a leadership role in the golf industry of the Carolinas and Virginia and shown great commitment to the golf world by investing graciously in fundraising and golf associations that promote, educate and enhance the golf business.
In November, 2007 Revels Tractor Co. Inc. merged its agriculture, residential and commercial mowing and landscape equipment business in North Carolina with a newly formed company named Quality Equipment, LLC. At the same time Revels Tractor Co. Inc. changed its name to Revels Turf and Tractor to more closely reflect the name to the nature of its business.
Though the name has changed the same commitment to fair pricing, excellent service and doing the right thing for all concerned that Charles Revels begin his business with in 1961 is still prevalent today in Revels Turf and Tractor.
