James H. Fletcher began his company intent on developing technology that would greatly improve mine productivity and reduce personnel risk by using rubber-tire, non-track-mounted vehicles in underground applications. In 1938, the company showed its first products at a coal show in Cincinnati; a rubber-tire tractor and drop-bottom conveyor.
Since that time, J. H. Fletcher & Co. has operated with a singular vision: to work with a vigilant focus on finding ways to improve mining processes and reducing risk for the people who work there. Look at the timeline. Isn't this the kind of company you want working for you?
| Timeline |
| |
1937
|
|
Roof
supported by timbers prepared on-site, placed by hand. Fletcher
opens for business. |
| |
1938
|
 |
First Fletcher products demonstrated at Cincinnati coal show: a rubber tired,
battery-powered tractor.
|
| |
1939
|
|
First shuttle car with 4-wheel steer and elevating conveyor
Mid-40's First Fletcher timbering machine – three wheels
|
| |
Mid-40's
|
 |
First Fletcher timbering machine
- three wheels |
| |
1947
|
|
Opened
Huntington, WV office |
| |
Early-50's
|
 |
First
self-propelled roof bolter
Fletcher patents internal dust collection system. |
| |
Late-50's
|
 |
First
dual head roof bolter. |
| |
1957
|
|
First dual-boom face drill. |
| |
Early-60's
|
 |
First
Fletcher track tampers.
First Fletcher ANFO loaders. |
| |
Mid-60's
|
|
First
protective operator's canopy
First four-head roof bolters. |
| |
Late-60's
|
|
First
Temporary Roof Support patented. |
| |
Mid-70's
|
 |
First
Longhole Degasification Drill. |
| |
Early-80's
|
 |
First
Fletcher Drill Jumbo.
|
| |
|
 |
|
| |
Mid-80's
|
 |
First
Fletcher Mobile Roof Support System
(MRS) |
| |
|
 |
First
Remote Control and Operator-Up Roof Bolters. |
| |
|
 |
First bolters with Walk-Thru chasses
|
| |
|
 |
First
Fletcher scaling machine |
| |
Mid-90's
|
|
First
on-board microprocessor controlled Feedback system. |
| |
Late-90's
|
 |
First
bolter with Materials Handling. |
| |
|
|
First
50' high-reach Scaling Machine |
| |
Early-2000's
|
 |
First
Fletcher Dual Drill Jumbo |
| |
|
|
Established Industrial Minerals/Rock Division |
| |
|
|
Expanded lines of scaling machines, drill jumbos, roof drills
and ANFO loaders |
| |
2002
|
 |
First
automated roof mapping system |
| |
2006
|
 |
First
Fletcher Prime Mover tractors |
| |
2007
|
|
Introducing the NEW Fletcher Wide-Coverage ANFO Loader! |
The Fletcher legacy as a solutions-based
engineering/manufacturing firm grows stronger every year. If you have
problems with roof control or other underground vehicle issues, call
Fletcher today. Let's talk.
To old-timers, it may seem like yesterday. Creaky, unstable timbers groaning under the weight of shaky mine roofs. Small, open cap lamp flames lighting the way for hard-working miners. Caged canaries alerting crews to toxic air. In today's world, the difference is night and day. That was 1937; this is now.