Our Story

Gizmow Inc. was created in 2003 to design, build and market commercial lawn equipment.  The parent company, Bert R. Huncilman & Son Inc., was founded in 1913 and is in its’ fourth generation of continuous operation. 
Originally a boiler repair and tin roof installer, the company has changed its focus of products significantly throughout the years.  In the mid 50s, the corporation began fabricating parts for a commercial lawnmower manufacturer in Louisville Kentucky.  This acquaintance spawned relationships with four other large manufacturers of landscape equipment.  As our knowledge of these products increased, we began designing and assembling entire units.

During this period, Jeff Huncilman, EVP of Bert R. Huncilman and Son, Inc., noticed a problem with the performance of mid-Z riders on hillsides.  Jeff approached his engineering staff and began designing what he would hope to become the first zero turn lawnmower with front wheel steering.  After a month of brainstorming, Jeff’s new lawnmower was going nowhere.  It was decided to drop the project and pursue other avenues of business. A few months later, Mark Bland, the chief engineer of our lawncare division who had left our company a few years prior, called Jeff and invited him to lunch.

One week later, Mark and Jeff met for lunch. Mark was disappointed when he learned Huncilman & Son was not pursuing any venues in the lawn care industry of its’ own.  During the meeting, Jeff discussed the benefits of a riding mower that could steer the front wheels and perform a zero turn.  Mark recalled Jeff’s idea from years earlier and commented that it would be easy as flying a helicopter.  Jeff was not amused and not surprised since the idea seemed almost impossible.  After their lunch, Jeff took Mark to his front yard where his idea was first conceived and demonstrated the handling problems his hillside presented to a typical zero turn mower.  Mark reluctantly agreed to give it some consideration.

Mark Bland is one of, if not the most, experienced and talented engineers to have ever worked in the lawn care industry. He has numerous patents and awards and is recognized as a leader in the design and manufacture of commercial lawn equipment.

That being said, seventy-two hours after their meeting, Mark contacted Jeff, with the words he was waiting to hear.  “I think I’ve got it, you need to come see me.”

They met and agreed to work on the project.  Ninety days and over 1000 drawings later, the first prototype front steering commercial zero turn lawnmower arrived in Jeff’s front yard.  Within five minutes the two agreed that they needed a name for their new company and a good patent attorney.