Wiley Sprayer Manufacturing
Owner: Raymond Wiley
Assistant Manager: Bruce Shipley (Below)
Location: Atkins, Ark.
History: “The business began when a man in charge of spraying levees and his own farm was unable to find a durable and cost-conscious unit,” said assistant manager Bruce Shipley. “Consequently, Raymond Wiley built his own using a round tank for strength and durability, a calibrated brass nozzle for corrosion resistance and accurate chemical application per acre and a low spray pattern for accurate application control. Later, a neighbor asked Raymond to build one for use on his own farm. The company was founded soon after, replacing Raymond’s previous seed and grain store. The design has changed little since its development over 30 years ago. The business is strongly Christian and family-based. Raymond’s son Larry runs the business and my brother and a local Baptist preacher work here as well but get Fridays off to prepare for Sunday.”
Products and Services: “We sell multipurpose sprayers for pastures, levees, hay fields and fence rows,” Shipley said. “We carry nine sizes ranging from a 65 gallon tank to a 750 gallon one. Application can be made from a utility vehicle with a self-contained battery operated unit for spot spraying or spraying smaller areas or from tractors using a three-point hitch or trail behind hitch. Because we want to ensure durability and ease of calibration, we make our own nozzles. So customers can pick the unit that best meets their needs, we have a website with specifications.
“Our business may appear to be seasonal but is actually year round. Spring brings the expected heavy sales for fertilizer and weed application. Summer brings customers needing pest control for issues such as army worms while late summer and fall are busy with a newly developed market in Forestry and Game and Fish because that is when they get their annual monies. Finally, winter is used for preparing for the next spring’s rush.”
