Who We Are

We think it's important to know a little bit about who you're doing business with. Located in America’s heartland, ELEY Corporation is a family-owned company that has been producing premium quality hose reels and related accessories under the Rapid Reel® brand name for both commercial and consumer users since 1990. Three brothers manage the organization, personally ensuring a Midwestern-style commitment to product quality and customer service.

With deep roots in Nebraska’s farm and ranch country, we understand the value of being able to depend on high quality tools, equipment and service. We believe our customers should expect that same level of satisfaction from our products and service. Building upon these principles has helped Rapid Reel grow into one of the most recognized and respected hose reel brands in North America.

Rapid Reel products are built to last, deliver reliable performance, and designed using a classic form-follows-function methodology. The products’ higher price points reflect their superior construction and performance, and are intended for those who appreciate great quality and have a meticulous dedication to their craft.

If this sounds like the kind of company you’d like to do business with, then we would welcome an opportunity to serve your hose reel needs.

Our History

In 1989, John Eley got an idea. As the owner of Eley Distributing, an industrial pressure washer dealership located in the small farming community of Orchard, Nebraska, (pop. 500), he was all too familiar with the difficulty in handling the wire-braided hydraulic hose used with pressure washers. He wondered how a hose reel might be able to be mounted to the most popular style of washers being sold: portable pressure washers.

Meanwhile, 180 miles to the southeast, two of his sons, Warren and Craig, were direct salesmen for Eley Distributing and also operated a mobile wash business in Lincoln, Nebraska. As such, they had plenty of first-hand experience using traditional pressure washer hose reels. They also had their own ideas about how hose reels could be improved for their particular applications.

Drawing on their experiences, the three men set out to develop a “market specific” hose reel. Before long, they were fabricating and market-testing various prototypes. A third brother, Mark, joined the family effort and in March 1990 the new venture was officially incorporated as Reel Quick, Inc.

After two years of research and development, the start-up manufacturer began selling a revolutionary new hose reel in July of 1991. Designed specifically for the industrial pressure washer industry, the 5516 model made such a dramatic impact that it became the clear market favorite in just three short years. The innovative design – featuring 360º pivoting action and a quick-mount system – was awarded a U.S. Patent in 1992.

Over the next few years, the company’s product offering expanded to include a wide variety of styles and mounting options. In 1994, a new line of air hose reels was introduced and marketed under the Rapid Reel^® brand name. In December 1996 the company relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska.

John Eley retired in 2000 and Mark Eley, the eldest son, was named company president. Middle son, Warren, heads all sales & marketing activities, while youngest son, Craig, oversees all production & engineering functions.

During the summer of 2001, at the urging of its loyal customer base, the company launched a new line of premium quality garden hose reels. Consumers, hungry for a quality alternative to light-duty reels, quickly made these new reels a favorite for both home and commercial applications. In 2004, the company consolidated all products and marketing efforts under the Rapid Reel^® brand name.

Today, Rapid Reel^® products are sold worldwide. Throughout the United States and Canada, the industrial pressure washer reels are sold exclusively through a network of over 500 independent dealers, while consumer products are sold both factory-direct and through independent retailers, such as garden centers, hardware stores, and power equipment dealers.