Bill Cooley started Cooley Mechanical in 1986 after being in the aggregate industry since 1972. After several successful years of operation, Cooley Mechanical became the Nordberg (now Metso Minerals) agent for parts and service in Southern California.

In 1993, Bill Cooley recognized a need and an opportunity to expand and improve his company's stance in the aggregate and mining industry of California.  Dane Schuck, who started in the industry since 1983 came on board as the Operations Manager.  Bill and Dane had known each other and worked together for many years.  Their combined experience in the aggregate industry totals more than 40 years, which has given them the foundation and ability to provide knowledgeable quality service to their customers.  It was at this time that Cooley Mechanical became the sole Metso Minerals (Nordberg at that time) agent for Southern California, giving the company the ability to sell the industry’s premier line of rock crushing equipment in addition to its existing parts line.
In January 1997, Cooley Mechanical was incorporated and a new entity, Cooley Equipment Corp., was formed to handle the new equipment sales portion of the business.

 On Dec.1, 1998, Jim Gasparo joined the Cooley team in order to assist Bill and Dane in financial and marketing matters of the business. Jim is a former owner of an asphalt paving and grading company, as well as a portable rock crushing company.

In January 1999, Bill, Dane, and Jim, as equal shareholders, combined the Cooley companies to become Cooley Equipment Corp. With this reorganization, Cooley Equipment was elevated from a Metso Minerals agent to a complete Metso Minerals distributor, adding a full line of equipment and parts to their inventory.