The history and tradition of Brown Industries, LLC, originated with Brown Metal Works founded in 1889. The van body dates back to 1946 when cargo vans were created in knockdown form by Brown Trailers, Inc., of Spokane, Wash. Brown’s first truck body was constructed from trailer parts and outfitted as a bookmobile for the city of Spokane. That unit turned out to be the first dry freight cargo van ever made out of aluminum by any manufacturer. Subsequently, the company expanded nationwide and was later sold to Clark Equipment Company of Buchanan, Mich. Clark manufactured and sold cargo vans and knockdown kits until 1975, when the Ashton-Richards Company purchased the business.
The Ashton-Richards Company operated a truck trailer and body sales and service business in Kansas City, Mo., that was recognized as one of the top independent distributors for these products in the country for over 30 years. Ashton-Richards bought the Lawrence, Kan., facility in 1975 and changed the name to Brown Cargo Van, Inc., directing its efforts toward the manufacture and sale of truck bodies and allied equipment of the highest quality.
