our history
Built on integrity, hard work, and a commitment to quality service, Brown’s Heavy Equipment has been a trusted family-run business since 1980.
In 1980, Dennis and Julie Brown took a leap of faith and founded Brown’s Heavy Equipment in Ames, Iowa. With Dennis’ experience working for a Caterpillar dealer and construction companies, he saw a need for an independent repair and service facility—one that would put customer needs first and provide expert service for all makes and models of heavy equipment. Starting in a modest 990-square-foot shop on East Lincoln Way, Dennis and Julie embarked on a journey fueled by hard work, dedication, and a passion for keeping machines running strong.
From the very beginning, Dennis believed that “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” His approach was simple: provide customers with high-quality service, ensuring their equipment remains productive and reliable. Julie played a crucial role in managing the bookkeeping and organizing the business operations, helping to build a strong foundation that allowed the company to grow.
A Commitment to Quality and Growth Taking on the challenge of servicing all brands of equipment, rather than focusing on just one, presented a unique opportunity. Dennis and his team knew that offering expertise across multiple brands would be a game-changer for customers looking for a trustworthy alternative to major dealers. As a result, Brown’s Heavy Equipment steadily grew into a respected name in the industry, earning a reputation for quality workmanship, fair pricing, and a customer-first mentality.
As the business expanded, so did its capabilities. In 2011, Brown’s Heavy Equipment became a dealership for Doosan (now known as DEVELON). The company also began servicing Scania engines and providing high-quality excavator attachments from Montabert and Geith.
In 2015, Brown’s expanded further into aerial and high-reach equipment by partnering with JLG as its first major brand and becoming an Authorized JLG Service Center. Soon after, they added Skyjack to their service offerings, strengthening their expertise in aerial lifts. As customer demand grew, they expanded even further, adding Genie and other trusted brands to provide comprehensive parts and service solutions for telehandlers, boom lifts, and scissor lifts. The following year, an Online Parts Store was launched to help customers access specialized, hard-to-find parts quickly and efficiently.
Today, Brown’s Heavy Equipment is an authorized service and parts provider for leading brands, including DEVELON, JLG, Montabert, Geith, Fleco, Skyjack, MEC, Snorkel, Xtreme, Niftylift, Sinoboom, and Scania. The company now operates from two locations—Ames and Council Bluffs. The Ames location has grown to over 32,000 square feet, allowing for expanded service capabilities and a larger parts inventory to better meet customer needs.
A Family-Run Business That Cares More than 40 years after its founding, Brown’s Heavy Equipment remains a family-run business, with all four of Dennis and Julie’s sons actively involved. The company operates with the same values it was built upon—hard work, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Dennis has always believed that “there is a difference” in the quality of service Brown’s provides, and that belief is reflected in everything the company does.
Beyond serving customers, Brown’s Heavy Equipment takes great pride in its employees, treating them like family. With a team of around 25 dedicated professionals, the company fosters a work environment where skill, dedication, and teamwork are valued. The relationships built over the years—with employees, customers, and industry partners—are what truly set Brown’s Heavy Equipment apart.
At Brown’s, it’s not just about fixing machines; it’s about keeping businesses running, helping customers succeed, and providing a level of service that makes a real difference. And after more than four decades, the mission remains the same—delivering expert service and ensuring that every piece of equipment is running at its best.
