Our History
-
1964
William Tuttle “Tut” Sherrill founds the company in Greensboro, NC as a manufacturer's rep for Savage Arms, Southland mowers and Power King tractors. -
1970s
Tut takes son Tobe on sales calls and to trade shows, largely to keep him out of trouble. -
1983
23-year-old Tobe graduates college and joins the company with a degree in Commercial Design & Advertising.
-
1987
Utilizing his advertising skills, Tobe orders line art from local a copy printer and builds an advertising scheme for customers in the Carolinas and Virginias.
-
Sept. 1989
Hurricane Hugo lands in Charleston, SC, and Tobe buys a used camper to live and serve the influx of tree workers.
This effort shows Tobe the need for a company specializing in arborist tools and equipment, and shapes the direction of the company.
W.T. Sherrill, Inc. adds various tree-working tools to their lineup.
-
1989
Tobe buys his first Macintosh computer and learns desktop publishing.
-
1990
WT Sherrill reinvents the company, honing their focus on supplying arborist tools & equipment. -
1992
WT Sherrill prints their first mail-order catalog (black & white).
-
1993
By now, the company has published 2 catalogs, delivered primarily in the mid-Atlantic states.
Tobe begins to climb trees and use the tools he has been writing about.
-
Mid-90s
Sherrill, Inc. embraces ArborMaster's philosophy of safety training and helps spread the word of professionalism through safety.
-
1996
Tobe Sherrill launches its e-commerce website wtsherrill.com, years before anyone else in the industry.
-
1998
Tobe invents the Big Shot, and makes a high tie-in-point (TIP) accessible to more climbers.
-
1999
Sherrill, Inc. now has 3 locations and 30+ employees.
-
2000
Sherrill, Inc. rebrands to SherrillTree for publication use.
-
2000
SherrillTree forms a distribution relationship with Vermeer Manufacturing, retiring the heavy equipment side of the business to focus on tools.
-
2008
SherrillTree becomes the sole distributor of Silky Saws – the leading manufacturer of arborist saws – in the United States.
-
2016
SHERRILLtree acquires TreeStuff.com from founders Luke and Erin Dunlevy.
-
2016
SHERRILLtree launches their proprietary brand Notch Equipment, quickly dominating the arborist supply market.
-
2019
Sherrill, Inc. acquires leading rope manufacturer Sterling Rope Company, Inc. (Maine) and arborist retailer Bishop Company (California).
-
2019
Sherrill, Inc. rebrands to Vertical Supply Group.
-
2020
Vertical Supply Group acquires pole pruner and saw manufacturer Fred Marvin Associates (Ohio).
-
2021
Vertical Supply Group acquires and integrates rescue equipment supplier Rescue Direct.
-
2021
Vertical Supply Group acquires rope manufacturer Atlantic Braids (Ontario, Canada).