Foley Inc. celebrated its 50th anniversary with more than 1,000 friends and longtime customers the evening of June 7 at its Piscataway, N.J., headquarters.

The elaborately planned event was replete with abundant food and drink, fun games and activities (such as the carnival favorite — the Hi-Striker), a live band and an a cappella ensemble, demos of new and antique Cat equipment as well as information booths where guests could discuss the latest emissions standards, all products offered by Foley Rents, certified rebuilds, and training classes. Contractors from all over northern New Jersey and Staten Island attended.

Later, inside a big top tent, Jamie Foley, company president, addressed guests, thanking them for their loyal support over the 50 years. He then introduced his father, Kim Foley, CEO and chairman of the board, who eloquently told the Foley Inc. story, which, unofficially, began in 1911 when his grandfather, Ed Foley Sr., opened a Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company dealership in Newark, N.J. Kim Foley also recalled the highly successful Foley Chevrolet, also in Newark, which Foley Sr. opened after leaving the Mitchell business.

Then, Kim explained how in 1957 his father, Ed Jr., who had taken the helm at the Chevy dealership in the early ’50s, took what seemed at the time to be a big risk — he shifted gears, and purchased Smith Tractor, a Caterpillar dealer in Union, N.J., which would soon become Foley Machinery Company.

As he led guests through his company’s 50 years in business, Kim was aided by myriad old photos of facilities, equipment and former employees, which were projected on two large screens flanking him. Near the end of his presentation, Kim thanked his customers, many being his friends, for contributing to Foley Inc.’s success.

Ryan Foley, vice president of customer relationships, followed his father to the stage to announce the highlight of the evening: the winners of four valuable raffle prizes.

• Andrew Farro of Tec-Con Contractors, East Orange, N.J., GSP05 submersible pump;

• Stanley Moslowski of Moslowski Brothers Inc., Robbinsville, N.J., K750 saw;

• Tom Vollers of Vollers Excavating, North Branch, N.J., GA3.6 kW generator; and

• the big winner, Gary Kulpeksa, of Kulpeksa Land Improvement, Rockaway, N.J., who took home a new Caterpillar 302.5C mini-excavator.

No detail, however minor, was overlooked. As guests filed out of the celebration, courtesy buses were lined up, ready to take them back to their cars.

The attention to detail paid off. Feedback from an e-mail survey sent to attendees shortly after the event revealed a host of positive impressions. The antique equipment display scored highly with guests with many saying they’d never seen “machines like that.” Overwhelmingly, guests remarked on Foley Inc.’s professionalism saying the celebration was “a relaxed and formal event with company’s friendly staff; some you only ever get to speak with on the phone.”

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