We want to help you not only achieve but exceed your goals. That’s our simple mission. We know we can’t do that by just providing hardware. We have to do more, and we attempt that in several ways:

• We will help you find superior parts that will give your end product a competitive advantage. 
• If we can’t find something on the market, we’ll help design a modification that will meet your needs. 
• We can provide you with exceptional services, such as a vendor managed inventory program, designed to take the burden of day-to-day purchasing activities off your hands and allow you to focus on the bigger picture. 
• We can also do that via customized kitting and packaging services that will save you time in production. 

Most of the time, however, the successes we see are the result of a combination of these things.  

What is a Gas Spring?

Have you ever wondered how a gas spring works? Or maybe you don’t even know what one is. You would be surprised, though, by how much you use them in your daily life. Have you ever tried opening the trunk of your car? Or raised an office chair to desk level?

What you probably used as a gas spring. There are so many common daily uses for these helpful springs. They are most commonly used for doors but have a wide variety of applications. A gas spring works by using compressed gas to maneuver two different parts a 1) piston rod and a 2) cylinder. The gas compression creates a strong force, which is proportional to an increase in pressure as the two mechanisms work together. Even a small gas spring can generate a lot of force and, therefore, has impressive strength.

When it comes to safety, LifeDefender™ not only meets the industry standards, we helped to establish them. From our beginnings, we worked with a select group of emergency vehicle and ambulance manufacturers to set the toughest safety standards as well as design products that meet these standards. Our rigorous safety standards keep occupants inside emergency vehicles safe during transport. Austin Hardware's LifeDefender™ Cabinet Security Frames have been designed to provide a solution to meet the *SAE, CAAS GVS & NFPA safety standards. In addition to meeting strict safety standards, our frames are crash-tested to ensure that the vehicle occupants, EMS workers, and patients are safe during transport and in case of an accident.  

Not only is safety our top concern, but we also created a top-quality design for all of our products. We utilized our custom engineering services to create efficient, quality-designed products. The LifeDefender™ line designs feature a quick and easy installation for quick assembly of emergency vehicles. Our cabinets are designed for ease of use, and some only require one-handed use for on-the-go applications. The simple, functional design is not only handy but is also suitable for many different uses, including marine and RV applications. LifeDefender™ has designed one tough frame and offers a variety of products to fit different needs and applications. Each product is designed with safety in mind as well as easy installation and use.  

There are many ambiguous terms for the rubber products used to protect the edge of a manufactured product or create a weather-tight seal for a door, window, or enclosure.  Some of the terms you might come across include edge guard, gasket trim, edge trim, push-on trim, edge gasket, seal, trim seal, rubber seal, and weatherstrip (or weather strip, depending on where you look). Each end-user and each supplier might use any of these terms to describe different products. Many times, the names will overlap. 

Have you been looking for the right hinge for your project or design? Can’t seem to find the right one? You are not alone.  It’s not uncommon to have a difficult time determining what hardware you may need for a project. With so many options on the market, you might be wondering what to look for or have few questions to help you make the right decision. At Austin Hardware®, we have the product knowledge and customer service team ready and available to provide suggestions and solutions for your hinge needs. Whether you’re a large business, small business, or Do-It-Yourself enthusiast looking for hinges for a project, we are here to help you.

When it comes to outfitting your vehicle or vessel with quality lighting, it is important to find the right company that provides quality as well as safety. Austin Hardware® is in the business of securing solutions for our customers, and that means partnering with companies that offer quality products and solutions for the many industries we serve. We’ve partnered with TecNiq Inc., a pioneering lighting company, to provide even more solutions and quality products for our customers.

What is TecNiq?

TecNiq Inc. is an engineer-owned company that provides consistent quality in the form of quality lighting solutions for a variety of applications. Being engineer-owned means one thing, a commitment to providing quality products with high-quality design and functionality. In addition to quality products from TecNiq, Austin Hardware® also has a focus and dedication to customer service. This type of focus on quality and consistency is what sets TecNiq and Austin Hardware® apart from other companies within the lighting space.

When Cheap isn't Inexpensive

The cheapest drill bits are not necessarily the most cost-efficient in the long run. There are times when the cheapest product is all you may need. In most cases within a production environment; higher quality may ultimately serve you better.

Think of your company and its many goals, pain points, and other concerns for your business. Now think about how you can provide the best solutions for your customers. Custom engineering allows you to deliver what your customers need. You are creating one-of-a-kind projects, tailored to fit specific needs. The right engineering team works with your business to understand your unique set of goals. Still reading?  Great, think of your current business, and your long-term goals. Now, consider if any of the following would help your business:

Major benefits of custom engineering:

• Quality Control
• Additional Advice and Guidance
• Improved User Experience
• Resource Management
• Cost Reduction
• Reduced Engineering Overhead

Where to Start

When sourcing custom engineering, you need to find a company that has the experience, dedication to quality, and the right resources for the project. The right provider will take the time to determine what application you are designing for as well as specifics related to a project. Next, they will take the time to create what your company and customers need based on a thorough understanding of the solution required by you and your team. In this situation, time is on your side, because you can be sure that the right amount of time is being given to create the right solution.

How does custom kitting work?

Inventory kitting, custom kitting or bundling products together is a strategy that allows businesses to save time and money. Instead of buying products one by one, kitting is a way to buy all the parts and products you need – say for manufacturing a good – therefore cutting out unnecessary purchasing steps. Seems simple, yet many businesses do not offer or utilize this type of service. Essentially everything you or your customers need are grouped and supplied together to make things easier for you. There are different ways that custom kitting works, and different ways that businesses can use this service to their advantage.

If you run a business, you know how busy your day can be. There’s a lot to do, and a lot of hats you must wear throughout the day. Having one less thing on your to-do list can make your day run smoother, as well as give you a chance to focus on something else that is equally as important. One way to simplify your tasks is custom kitting. Basically, if you’re receiving parts and products from different vendors you’re spending time sourcing, price checking, and selecting these products. After that, your team then must sort and organize all the different parts. Sounds like a lot of work. That’s because it is. Kitting basically cuts this process in half. Everything you need arrives in one convenient package from ONE supplier.