This year, Bray Topsoil and Gravel celebrates 80 years of business. What started as an operation between two brothers has grown and evolved into multiple thriving companies serving homes and businesses across the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region.
There have been many changes and expansions over the years – at various times, the Bray business included excavation, snow removal, a body shop, used truck parts, a salvage shop, topsoil, and gravel delivery – but what has never changed is the honest, reliable customer service.
Bray’s Beginnings
Bray Topsoil and Gravel started as Bray Trucking Inc. eight decades ago in Northern Kentucky.
Bray Trucking Inc. was founded in 1945 when brothers Maurice “Pop” Bray and Wilson Bray bought a flatbed truck and started hauling hay, concrete blocks, sand, gravel and limestone to builders and homeowners around Campbell County, Kentucky.
In the early days, the brothers took every job they could find and their slogan was, “We haul anything.” Business started picking up, and Maurice and Wilson finished their first year with four single-axle trucks in operation. They quickly made a name for themselves and Maurice’s reputation for spreading stone preceded him for years. Even in his retirement, people still called to request “Pop” for their stone jobs.
Business kept booming and the Bray business took on bigger jobs like hauling the limestone and road chips for the Campbell County Road Department.
A Family Business
Maurice’s wife Thelma, was a critical part of the business. The original company operated out of the Bray’s home garage and Thelma managed the day-to-day orders, ensuring customers were helped in a timely manner.
1960 saw the addition of Bray’s first tandem dump truck – the first one in the area.
In 1973, two of Maurice’s sons, Dallas and Dave, went into partnership with him, purchasing a tri-axle dump truck and hiring four employees. This tripled the hauling power and made the company more efficient. By 1979 a third son, Roger, had joined the business.
Bray was incorporated in 1976.
Expansion Through the Years
By 1987, Bray Trucking Inc. had opened its third site on Alexandria Pike near the Kentucky State Highway Department.
The expansion included a body shop department for car and truck repair and additional truck and equipment maintenance shifts. Dave Bray operated a Truck Salvage and Used Parts Department out of the new location. Shredded topsoil was added as a new product for sale across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. The new site allowed for a commercial contract with the State Highway Department’s snow and ice removal. A Department of Transportation Compliance Consulting was also opened there by Patty Bray.
In 1998, a fourth Bray facility was built including an office building, a service shop, and a topsoil storage building.
Bray Topsoil and Gravel is Born
Bray Trucking, Inc. had approximately 175 employees before breaking into various departments and company spinoffs, including Bray Topsoil and Gravel.
The excavation department increased personnel, added equipment, and took on more customers and larger commercial jobs. The trucking department purchased slinger trucks to move gravel in and out of foundations, and continues to be the largest company in the Cincinnati area that provides this service.
In 2015, Brandon Bray bought out Bray Topsoil and Gravel, Inc. which has been run by Chris Cusick since 2021.
The Bray Legacy
In an interview about the company’s success, Dallas Bray spoke candidly about the real treasure of the business:
“The building and trucks can be replaced. Our true assets are our employees and customers.”
Today, Bray Topsoil and Gravel employs over 60 people. The company has built upon the vision of Maurice and Wilson Bray by serving customers with excellence.
Putting people first has remained at the forefront as Bray Topsoil and Gravel continues to thrive, delivering all over the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati regions.
The Bray Topsoil and Gravel team looks forward to 80 more years!
