Norris Supply Company began business in June of 1962. William “Bill” Norris was from a little town in lower South Carolina named Holly Hill. He had a farming background and went to Clemson University to study agriculture. While at Clemson, Jeff Hunt Machinery, the Caterpillar tractor dealer from Greenville came to visit students in search for salesman. It was hard to turn down the $2,000 per year salary in 1949 and Bill became a CAT salesman for Jeff Hunt Machinery where he continued to work until 1962. During his time at CAT, he noticed the need for aftermarket ground engaging parts and aftermarket cables. At that time, equipment levers were all cable actuated and every dozer had a winch.

Bill rented a house to begin the business on Airport Road in Greenville, not far from tractor dealers like CAT, John Deere, International (ICH), and Allis Chalmers (Fiat). His goal was to position himself in the middle of the main tractor dealers and offer wear parts for all of the different brands. After several years of warehousing heavy bucket teeth, cutting edges, and wire rope the floors of the house gave way and Bill moved the business to its current location on Lowndes Hill Road in 1968.

The existing office and warehouse are on the site of the old Greenville Little Theater. Bill ended up tearing that building down to build the current warehouse. Our current shop building was the original office and the new office building was built in 1972.

Bill Smith was the first employee Bill Norris hired. Bill Smith came from Jeff Hunt Machinery and was well respected in the industry. Bill Smith retired from Norris Supply in 1999. These two men operated the business with the help of Bill Norris’ children after school and during summers. Both Bill Norris Jr. and Bob Norris joined the business full time in 1972 and 1978, respectively. Bill Jr. and Bob both retired in 2022.

Over the past 60 years, Norris Supply has grown to become an industry standard for the upstate grading, utility, concrete, and asphalt contractors. We still sell ground engaging bucket teeth & cutting edges, but have also expanded into multiple other markets. We now have 6 total employees, including two with over 30 years of longevity at Norris Supply.

Norris Supply cannot thank our customers enough! We have built life-long relationships and friendships with our customers, suppliers, and employees. We strive to supply our customers with the best parts and materials they need to be successful on their job sites and maintain a level of service and product knowledge that is second to none.