A. J. Kerr (Art) founded Kerr Engineered Sales Company in 1952 after a twenty eight year career in sales and marketing to the oil, gas and water industries with the most recent assignment as Vice President of Sales for Rockwell Manufacturing Company. He uncovered a need for sales and marketing services for southwestern manufacturers desiring to expand their product lines to the northeast. His son, Jack, while working on his engineering degree at Northwestern University agreed to join the company. He also received an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Art and Jack organized Kerr Engineered Sales Company to meet this need initially for two southwestern manufacturers. T. D. Williamson, Inc. and Peerless Manufacturing continue today as companies represented.

In 1997, Jack turned the day-to-day operations over to his sons, David , now President, and Thomas, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jack assumed the role of Chairman / CEO.