Cross Company History – Asheville Hose and Equipment
Founded by Bill and Polly Melton, Asheville Hose & Equipment opened for business in June of 1981 and was the leading supplier of hydraulic hose products in the Western North Carolina area. A locally owned family business, the team at Asheville Hose prided themselves on friendly customer service and a mission to provide customers with a quality product that would best satisfy their needs. They accomplished this by working closely with customers to give a superior level of service, offering hose repair and consultation at their store counters and a range of products.
Selling multiple brands over the years, Asheville Hose was a premier Dayco Hose Distributor until Parker Hannifin purchased Dayco in October of 2001. During the early days, when customers needed Parker products, Asheville Hose worked with Cross Sales & Engineering and had an excellent relationship, eventually becoming an associate distributor for Cross. During 2002, Asheville Hose became an official Parker Fluid Connector distributor.
In 2005, Tri-Cities Hose & Equipment was opened in Johnson City, TN, just an hour north of Asheville to service customers in that marketing area. This new ParkerStore was successful and won Parker’s Diamond Team Award in their second year of business.
In 2007, Asheville Hose & Equipment and the branch, Tri-Cities Hose & Equipment, were acquired by Cross Company with Bill Melton retiring. As a part of that transition, Mary Melton-Hale, president of the business became the Regional Manager of what would go on to become our Hose and Fittings Group. Sharing the same customer focused values, our new team in Asheville & Johnson Cities brought a perfect fit in culture, and many of the same team members continue to offer that same great customer service today. Unfortunately during the downturn of business in 2008-2009, Tri-Cities Hose and it’s territory was sold to Southern Fluid Power based in Chattanooga.
