08/02/2018
I was asked to write a history of the start of our furnace sales business for a dealer to use in a type of memorial for Jim and I decided that others might find it interesting so I decided to share.
*Note this is the history as I’ve been told and any discrepancies I apologize for but Jim was always the story teller and I just listened. Thank you to all our loyal customers we appreciate the years of business. Brenda Hughes, Hughes Bros. Sales, Inc.
Hughes Bros. Sales started selling Bryan Outdoor Wood Furnaces in 1982. While going down to Bryan, Texas to pick up Gooseneck Brand Trailers Jim saw the furnaces and “liked the looks of them”. At that time Chuck Hughes (the other brother of Hughes Bros.) lived in an old farm house and “in the winter time you didn’t have to go outside to see which way the wind was blowing just watch for the curtains to move“. Deciding that it might be something that would help with heating costs Jim decided to bring one back home. However, while negotiating price he was given the opportunity to buy 2 units and become a dealer. Being a lifetime salesman he decided to take the chance and it began.
He brought back those 2 units he and Chuck started passing the word around to neighbors that they were going to start selling them. The farming and trailer business is slower during winter months and this seemed like a good fit for the brothers. Some neighbors laughed at the “crazy idea” of heating a home with a furnace sitting outside in the cold. Curiosity got the best of some, word got out and sales started.
His trips to Bryan Texas became combination trips picking up trailers and hauling back furnaces. After awhile Hughes Bros. Sales had sold enough units that they were offered the distributorship and took on sales for the entire state of Missouri, parts of Kansas, Iowa & Illinois.
Through advertising and with the help of high heating costs the Bryan Outdoor Wood Furnace became a highly sought after item. Hughes Bros. showed the furnaces at the Missouri State Fair right outside the main grand stand along with the trailers. Dealers were acquired throughout the state. What started as a crazy idea to many took off and there was a waiting list for units. No longer able to keep up with demand freight companies were hired to bring the loads from Texas.
The Bryan Furnace has been imitated often but never duplicated. The reliability of these furnaces has given Hughes Bros. the opportunity to have repeat customers still coming back for parts on units that are over 30 years old. We have had repeat customers as well as next generation customers.
Jim was forever the salesman; he had a passion and a love of this product because he knew it worked and worked well and he enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the furnaces with customers. Though Hughes Bros. Sales has decided to close the doors the Bryan Outdoor Wood Furnace and all parts will continue to be available through dealers.*
