The Moody tradition of excellence continues as M. D. Moody & Sons, Inc., a Jacksonville, Fl based construction equipment distributorship that is widely regarded as the oldest such family-owned firm in the United States, celebrates its 95th year in business.

It all began in Jacksonville back in 1913. Max Moody, Sr., wearing the hats of salesman, parts manager and serviceman, launched a construction machinery distributorship known simply as M. D. Moody. The purpose of the enterprise was to “sell construction equipment to road builders.” Lines represented by M. D. Moody in those early years included Adams road graders, Best Tractors, and P & H cranes. A highlight year for Mr. Moody was 1924 when he sold 238 P&H Draglines.

A year that also stands out in the unfolding history of M. D. Moody is 1942. That was the year Moody was appointed as the Florida distributor for American Hoist & Derrick Company, which was American Crane and is now a part of Terex Cranes. Moody’s spectacular sales of American Cranes and draglines vaulted it into the number one position among American’s distributors worldwide. Max Moody, Sr. continued as head of the enterprise until his death in 1949. Max Moody, Jr. then became president of M. D. Moody & Sons, Inc., which was incorporated in 1947. Max Moody, Jr. who joined his fathers business in 1938, continued as president until his death in 1987.

It was under the leadership of Max Moody, Jr. that the firm’s greatest growth took place. The pace of growth and expansion has continued under the leadership of Max Moody, III who succeeded his father as president in 1987. This year Lisa Moody was appointed President of the company after a restructuring of the business.

Moody’s complex at 4652 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, FL has been a familiar sight since it was first occupied in 1951. Moody is one of the world’s largest crane dealers, both in units sold and in its rental fleet that includes crawler cranes, rough terrain cranes, hydraulic truck cranes, derricks, and lattice boom cranes. The fleet ranges in size up to 450 tons. Moody has provided cranes for some of Florida’s biggest lifts and road and bridge construction across the Southeast. Please give one of our offices in Florida or Atlanta, Georgia a call. We have some great deals on new and used equipment for sale and rentals.