Peach farmer Fred Brenda took his career and his family in a new direction when he sold the farm following a series of bad crops in the late 1960s and opened Valley Tool Manufacturing Company, a tool sharpening business for area machine shops. His new venture thrived, with customers like U.S. Steel and Lockheed Martin seeking his services, and it quickly evolved into a full-fledged fabrication shop.
Leveraging that success, Valley Tool acquired Vrisimo and its line of mowers in the 1980s. With the company came a loyal customer base throughout the western United States. While supporting those farmers and ranchers with ongoing product enhancements, the company recognized related needs in other industries, and the RockHound and BrushHound brands were born.