
In 1976, Adrian and Mary Bailey started our company from their home in Michigan. Fifty years later, we're shipping cylinders, pumps, motors, valves, and controls, to farms, job sites, and fleets across the US and Canada. The catalog has grown. The reason customers call us has not.
In 1976, Adrian and Mary Bailey started our company from their home in Michigan. Fifty years later, we're shipping cylinders, pumps, motors, valves, and controls, to farms, job sites, and fleets across the US and Canada. The catalog has grown. The reason customers call us has not.
Customers, dealers, and the people who have been here since the beginning.
"I was a new hire hydraulic assembly employee from 1993-1995. Back then we had seven employees... We were so small at the start we all tried to learn as much as we could about each other’s jobs."
"It’s a bit surreal working alongside my son, but we get along great as long as we keep to our own work areas! They really are a great business—I've been working here for 14 years myself."
Read Case Study
Read Case Study
Read Case Study"Beginning product to the end product is what we do in this facility. We always start our processes here under a quality management standard."
"As for working with my dad, we've always gotten along. I have no complaints! I love working beside him. Fun fact: my mom would bring us lunch over here"
Fifty years of Bailey, seen through the people who built it.

“I am very thankful for the experiences Bailey has given me, for the people I have had the opportunity to work alongside, and for the role this company has played in my life over the past 26 years.”
When I think about my time with Bailey, I think of it in terms of the “chapters of my life.” When I was asked to share my story or testimonial about my time here, there were no guidelines for how long it should be. So, I’ll do my best to keep 26 years as brief as possible.
2000–2003
I moved to Knoxville and started at Bailey in June 2000. I had moved from Clarksville, Tennessee, with my then-girlfriend, Misty, who is now my wife of 23 years.
I was hired at Bailey as a welder and was the 13th employee in Bailey Manufacturing after cylinder manufacturing began. Over the next three years, I went from welding to machining and eventually into CNC machining. Back then, Bailey was a much smaller company, and it was common for everyone to wear several hats and do whatever job needed to be done.
The year 2003 was a big one for me. I got married, bought my first house, and became a Production Supervisor at Bailey. That was also the year we started our very first second shift. It began with me and two other employees and eventually grew into a 24-person team.
2003–2008
These years were especially challenging in my personal life. During this time, I found out that I had cancer, went through treatment, and lost my mother. Through some of the most difficult moments of my life, Bailey was incredibly supportive. That is something I have never forgotten and remain very grateful for today.
In 2008, I was given the opportunity to move into the Maintenance Department, where I worked alongside one of Bailey Manufacturing’s original employees, Gary Roderick, better known as “Hawkeye.” Long since retired, Hawkeye was an extremely knowledgeable man who truly wanted me to succeed.
By that time, we had doubled the number of CNC machines and weld booths, creating the need for a second Maintenance Technician. Taking that opportunity ultimately led to some of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
2008–Present Day
A lot has changed since 2008.
At our previous facility, Bailey Manufacturing occupied only about 11,000 square feet of a 40,000-square-foot building. Saying we had outgrown that space would be an understatement. That was when our company founder, Mr. Adrian Bailey, purchased our current headquarters in Westbridge Industrial Park in Knoxville.
I was fortunate enough to be involved in designing the layout of the new facility. We literally started with an empty building and large plastic cutouts representing the footprint of each piece of equipment. We moved those pieces around, used a little imagination, and developed a workflow for the plant.
The layout has changed several times since then, but being part of that process was an experience I’ll always remember. There was something special about standing in an empty building, imagining what it could become, and then watching that vision turn into reality.
Looking Back
When I came to Bailey, I was what a lot of people my age today would probably consider “a kid.” I have lived a lot of life since then.
Over the years, I have experienced personal and professional growth, faced challenges, celebrated milestones, and developed lifelong friendships with current and former employees, vendors, and contractors. Bailey has been part of nearly every chapter of my adult life.
Throughout my years here, I have met people who, after finding out where I work and what I do, have asked me what hydraulic cylinders are actually used for. My easiest answer has always been that they are used in machines and equipment that move a lot of weight.
But even that is an understatement.
Hydraulic cylinders are used across countless industries in the equipment that builds, moves, lifts, produces, and maintains the world around us. When you stop and think about it, what we do matters.
I am very thankful for the experiences Bailey has given me, for the people I have had the opportunity to work alongside, and for the role this company has played in my life over the past 26 years.
As Bailey celebrates 50 years, I’m proud to have been part of more than half of that story—and I look forward to the chapters still to come.
Adam

You have seen our history, now let us help you build yours. Discover the industry-leading hydraulic and electronic solutions trusted by professionals for five decades.


In addition to over 15 years of executive management in mobile hydraulics and electro-hydraulics, Ken has extensive systems engineering and operational management experience. Educated at the University of Tennessee with a master's in electrical engineering, Ken started in medical electronics design and medical operations management. He then transitioned to consulting for operational excellence and business improvement. Ken started at Bailey in 2008 as Chief Operating Officer, then transitioned to CEO in 2015. Ken has overseen the growth of Bailey from a family-owned business to private equity owned to a family-office owned business. Ken has also led and participated in three successful acquisitions for Bailey, helping the company gain capability and expansion each time.
As a lifelong Tennessean, Ken lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with his wife. They own a farm in Greeneville, Tennessee, and have five children and one grandchild. Besides working on the farm, Ken enjoys woodworking, reading, and Tennessee basketball.


David is a multifaceted leader with diverse professional and industry experience. He has achieved notable success spearheading strategic growth initiatives and leading enterprise-wide operational and financial restructuring efforts. He has been with Bailey since 2022. In that time, he has accomplished several stretch goals and built a team committed to organizational effectiveness.


Chris has hands-on, diverse experience in senior-level international supply chain analysis, forecasting, logistics, scheduling, procurement, distribution, transportation (3PL), ERP implementations, project and budget management. He's been with Bailey since 2017 and strongly believes that good is the enemy of great.


Darren Lockyer serves as the Business Unit Vice President for EBU at Bailey, where he leads strategic initiatives and oversees operational performance across the organization. With over a decade of experience in business development and executive leadership, Darren has a proven track record of driving growth, fostering innovation, and building high-performing teams. Prior to joining Bailey, he held senior roles in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments, focusing on strategic planning and cross-functional execution.
Based in Victoria, BC, Darren is an avid runner who enjoys exploring the scenic trails of Vancouver Island. He’s also passionate about mentoring emerging leaders and occasionally guest lectures on topics related to business strategy and innovation.


Scott brings over a decade of sales leadership experience to Bailey. Before joining Bailey, he served as Vice President of Commercialization and Global Sales at Magnum Venus Products, where he led high-performing teams and drove global commercial strategies. With a proven track record of aligning sales strategies with innovative product offerings, Scott is committed to fostering strong customer relationships and driving growth across industries. Based in Knoxville, TN, Scott plays a pivotal role in Bailey’s mission to deliver exceptional value to OEMs, distributors, and end-users worldwide.


Larry is an experienced Director of Manufacturing with a demonstrated history of working in the machinery industry. He's skilled in manufacturing, operations management, continuous improvement, and cross-functional team leadership. He also brings a strong quality assurance background to the Bailey team.


Jim Lowe is a hands-on, people-first Director of Operations with a passion for turning complex challenges into streamlined solutions. Based in Victoria, BC, he currently leads the operational strategy at Bailey Electronics, where he has been driving performance and growth since 2016. With 20+ years of experience—from fine-tuning production lines to guiding warehouse teams and launching Lean initiatives—Jim thrives in environments where precision, collaboration, and efficiency matter most. He’s known for his approachable leadership style, calmness under pressure, and ability to bring teams together to get things done. Outside of work, you'll find him kayaking, exploring the backwoods in a side-by-side, or enjoying time with his family on the shores of Lake Cowichan.


Steve joined the Bailey team in 2001. His original role was to help Bailey grow its custom cylinder business. In early 2010, he was promoted to oversee the sales team and was tasked with providing leadership in that department. After years of experience, Steve saw the need to grow the relationship between the sales and engineering departments, so he moved into that liaison position. From there, he was asked to take over the Director of Engineering role for Bailey, where he sits today.


Brianna brings over a decade of marketing experience to Bailey. She has developed a knack for leading brand development through strategic communications, with a focus on driving customer retention rates and revenue growth. She specializes in crafting compelling stories that drive positive change. To that end, she is deeply committed to guiding brands toward a more sustainable future, ensuring a direct link between profitability and environmental responsibility.
For 50 years, Bailey has been driven by a commitment to innovation and the people who make it possible. From our early days to becoming a leader in hydraulic and electronic solutions, explore the defining moments that shaped our journey.
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The founding of the company.
First major facility expansion.
Global market expansion.
Our 50th anniversary milestone.
