Company Performance Metrics
Long before they (The Johnson Brothers) were building mining equipment for coal miners, they were digging coal with fellow coal miners. What better credentials would a manufacturer of mining equipment need? In other words, they have "been there and done that." They understand the inner workings of mining equipment first hand because they
have "hands on" experience that some manufacturers may lack. That speaks well for the quality of equipment Johnson Industries manufactures and explains the unsullied reputation they have earned over the years.
Johnson Brothers Coal Company was established in 1974 by five Johnson brothers - Greg, Garla, Gwendel, Garnie, and George, all coming from different walks of life, but all with an innate ability to think and create. Their ability to design innovative solutions to the challenges they faced on the job paid off. The Kinney Branch Company that Garnie supervised became the highest ton per man hour coal producer in the United States. A back injury shortened George's coal mining life, but maybe it was a "blessing in disguise," because after that he devoted his time to design and production.
In 1981, they established Johnson Industries and immediately started manufacturing the industrial duty car, followed by the Super Low Tail Piece. A patented laser alignment tool for the underground mining industry (Slimm-Jim Laser) was developed next and it quickly gained industry acceptance. Johnson Industries' next proud accomplishment was the Stinger - an MSHA permissible and explosion proof personnel carrier that became a top seller in the industry. One rugged product after another has emerged from Johnson Industries, with each piece proving increased efficiency and improved safety.
