Celebrating 65 Years of Innovation and Service at Austin Hardware

Celebrating 65 Years of Innovation and Service at Austin Hardware

This year marks a significant milestone for Austin Hardware as we proudly celebrate our 65th anniversary. Since our founding in 1960, we have evolved from a small parts supplier into a nationwide leader in industrial hardware distribution and engineered solutions. Our journey has been characterized by continuous innovation, strategic expansion, and a strong commitment to serving our customers across various industries.

It all began in 1960, when we were established as Austin Truck and Trim Supply, with a clear mission: to bridge the gap between vendors and OEMs. In 1965, we rebranded as Austin Hardware & Supply, Inc., reflecting our expanding product offerings and customer base.

The Growth of our Team

By 1998, Austin was recognized not only for distributing hardware but also for providing customized solutions to meet evolving customer needs. We continued to grow strategically, acquiring Thomas Hardware in 2000 and JPC Fasteners in 2007. That same year, we expanded to nine locations and started offering vendor-managed inventory and engineering services, which are key steps toward becoming a full-service partner.

As our customers’ business needs have changed, we’ve adapted as well. Over the past five years, we’ve enhanced our team with experts in chemicals and fastening products to provide our customers with essential support in these areas. Coincidingly, we’ve expanded our line of chemical products with additional sealants, adhesives, corrosion protection, and environmentally friendly industrial-grade cleaners.

We also continue to enhance our VMI programs, now supported by eTurns TrackStock, making VMI more efficient and enabling data-driven decision-making. Our product lines now include many products typically found in VMI programs. We have an expanded line of MRO and safety products, along with fasteners, allowing Austin to be a true one-stop source.

Engineering the Future

Innovation has always been central to our mission. Austin Engineering has provided the right solutions for customer applications across various industries, including emergency medical services, cargo trucks and vans, trailers, and industrial fabrication. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified for hardware and fastener products. Our engineers, with over 100 years of combined experience, have assisted over 450 customers, designed more than 550 products, and hold over 25 worldwide patents. We believe that we can add value to your company and products through our engineering, assembly, and sourcing efforts, and we have a proven track record of success as testament.

In 2010, Austin Engineering broadened its product portfolio under the Genesis brand, encompassing numerous product types that, through their proven success, add value to our customers’ end products. The Genesis line includes gas springs that can be spec’d into thousands of applications; ventilation products like the Easy Open Vent, Flexi-Vent, and louvered vents; our Ceiling IV Hanger for ambulances; lighted folding steps; and many more.

In 2017, LifeDefender cabinet security frames—one of our most important engineered products and now an industry standard in ambulances—were launched. They improve the way ambulance interiors are outfitted to keep EMTs and their patients safe in the event of an accident.

In 2018, we proudly received a patent for our engineered Front Drawer Release system, further solidifying our reputation as a thought leader in the industrial and vehicular hardware markets. The original, patented FDR gave birth to two additional engineered products: the Drawer Release Pro and Drawer Release Lite, filling marketplace voids at varying price points.

2023 marked the launch of our 4TH GEN line of environmentally friendly industrial cleaning products, dispensing applicators, adhesive mixing tips, and anti-slip tapes.

The success of LifeDefender also led to the development and launch in 2024 of our O2 Bottle Lift-N-Stow™ Counterbalance System and our Snap N' Stow™ Bin Organizing System.

Another industry-changing engineered product that reflects our dedication to safety, reliability, and innovation is the Safe Assist ramp door assist, introduced in 2022 and expanded in 2025. It has gained traction across several trailer market segments.

Navigating Challenges, Embracing Change

There will always be periods of economic instability and an ever-changing business landscape that requires businesses to adapt. Austin Hardware has always been resilient, survived, and thrived through turbulent times.

Though the 2008 financial crisis challenged the entire industry, Austin bounced back strongly in 2009, thanks to our resilient team and loyal customers.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 honored us by recognizing us as an essential business, allowing us to continue supporting critical industries without interruption.

During tough times, we support our resilient team and ensure business continuity and customer competitiveness through ongoing investments in infrastructure and technology.

In 2025, our website is undergoing its first major overhaul in a decade, utilizing the latest technology to enhance customer experience. The upgrade goes beyond improving the e-commerce platform. It includes resources that allow us to share our industry expertise more readily as a product provider and business resource.

Additional examples include tools like eTurns TrackStock, which enhances our VMI programs, and MarketDojo. This procurement system assists our purchasing team in more efficiently and effectively sourcing the parts our customers need.

A National Footprint with Local Service

Our footprint continues to grow. In 2024, our Lee’s Summit facility expanded with a temperature-controlled addition to our warehouse, enhancing our chemical products inventory to better support our vendors and customers. In 2025, we opened full-service locations in Jefferson, NC, and Lynwood, WA—our 10th and 11th locations, respectively—further improving our ability to serve customers from coast to coast. Going forward, we will continue to investigate new locales that enable us to provide the best support for our customers.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate 65 years in business, we’re more committed than ever to the values that have driven our success: innovation, service, and partnership. There are no limits or boundaries we won’t extend to finding the best partners to help serve our customers. A great example is our partnership with Albert Jagger Ltd., a company established in 1887 that is now the UK’s leading manufacturer and distributor of commercial vehicle parts and fittings. Supporting our customers has always been, and will continue to be, our top priority, wherever we need to go and whatever we need to do.

Thank you to our customers, team members, and partners who have been part of this incredible journey.

Here’s to the next 65 years of building solutions together.