We're always looking for ways to improve our lives through the products we use. We seek products that make tasks easy, work better and faster, last longer, cost less, feel good to use, and make us feel good.

In business, manufacturers look to add components to their end products that improve their customers' lives and solve problems, adding value and giving them a competitive advantage. But that search can be complicated as many affordable, readily available components are highly commoditized, making those unique, differentiating products a challenge to find.

The answer could lie in the design of custom components that can solve your unique problem, help your end product stand out, and give you a competitive advantage. 

Since 1960 (that's over sixty years!), we've worked hard to develop solutions for the many different industries we serve. What started as a small, family-owned business has grown into the business you see today, with 9 locations serving the U.S. and Canada. Today, Austin Hardware® is the go-to specialty hardware supplier of choice for top companies across dozens of industries. 

Our dedication to quality and customer service goes a long way. We are MORE than just a supplier. We offer a variety of ways to serve your business besides specialty hardware. Not only can we function as your supplier for hardware solutions, but we have also become a trusted source for many OEMs for custom-engineered products. Keep reading to learn more... 

Statistics from the National Truck Equipment Association indicate commercial (cargo) van sales increased by 56.7% between 2013 and 2019, and there's no sign of that trend slowing down. While cargo vans are becoming more and more common for delivery services (if you've had an Amazon delivery lately, you know this to be true), they're also widely used by businesses of all types as service vehicles. 

Larger vehicles, such as box trucks, will always have a substantial market position for their advantage in capacity. This is especially true for delivery services as their size advantage allows for the delivery of larger items and helps to minimize trips. However, cargo vans generally cost less to purchase, and their smaller size makes them more fuel-efficient and able to fit into tighter spaces. This economy and agility make cargo vans a better choice for delivering smaller parcels and for use as service vehicles.

Easy Open Vents by Austin Hardware®

Our engineering team here at Austin Hardware® would like to introduce another patented solution for your business: the Easy Open Vent. This patented design opens both left-facing and right-facing, making it an easily adaptable solution for different applications and industries. Designed with the end-user in mind, the Easy Open Vent or EOV is a great solution for your ventilation needs.

Another great design aspect is that the EOV also has three different adjustment levels per side. It also has low-profile and raised-profile options and both right and left opening capabilities. You can also customize this product with different materials and sizes depending on your specific needs.  

Companies are looking for ways to safely allow employees to return to the workplace as businesses reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the primary modes of transmission of COVID-19 is via airborne droplets.

A simple solution to mitigate the transmission of these droplets is to place a physical barrier between employees working in an office environment. Placing a partition at individual workstations and other key areas throughout the business can help to insulate workers from the potentially virus-carrying particulates emitted by others.  

At Austin Hardware®, we are your source for research and development, design, manufacturing, and more. We have extensive custom engineering capabilities and pride ourselves on providing some of the best engineering solutions across the industry.

Since 1960, we've worked hard to develop quality engineered solutions for the many different industries we serve. What started as a small, family-owned business has grown into the business you see today. We currently have 9 locations strategically located throughout the country to fully serve all regions of the U.S. and Canada.

Today, Austin Hardware® is the go-to specialty product and hardware supplier of choice for businesses in dozens of industries. Our Engineering team will work with your business to understand your needs and help identify your goals. 

Austin Guaranteed Engineering Solutions™

Why should you work with our team? The answer is simple: we have the knowledge, experience, and track record to get the job done right. Our engineering and design team is with you every step of the way, from concept to finished product.

We can help improve product design, functionality, and user experience while assisting with costs, sourcing, and manufacturing time. Combined, our team has over 100 years of experience and more than 25 patents. We are also ISO 9001:2015 certified for hardware and fastener products.

Prototyping Capabilities

Our engineering team is capable of your entire product design process, including the crucial step of prototyping. From research and development all the way to product launch and everything in between, we are your source. Designing your prototype is an essential part of product development.

Our team understands the need to assist with this stage of design. If your business is sourcing a custom-engineered product, you know that the prototype stage is critical to test functionality and meet your specific design needs. Our team carefully evaluates your concept and can choose from a variety of prototyping capabilities to help you design a low-cost and effective prototype.

When it comes to work truck safety, staying safe on the road is just as important as keeping your equipment safe, secure, and up to date. In addition to keeping your truck safe, it is essential always to follow DOT guidelines and ensure that your team knows local and state safety regulations.

Keeping your work truck means knowing when to stay safe and finding the right products that assist with your safety and peace of mind. At Austin Hardware®, we know trucks, and we know a thing or two about providing quality parts and products for your work truck.

Enclosed trailer and horse trailer manufacturers, which are fabricated from aluminum in particular, often have trouble with 3-piece rear door and ramp door hinge alignment.

It takes precise measurement and careful hands to align most standard 3-piece rear and ramp door hinges correctly due to the challenge of laying the hinge flat for welding or bolting. This can add an inordinate amount of time to the assembly process. Additionally, while most assemblers get close, even a slightly misaligned hinge can adversely affect its durability and longevity. These are two critical expectations for buyers of high-end aluminum trailers.

When it comes to outfitting your work truck with the best on the market, let Austin Hardware® be your guide for all things work-truck related. We carry the top of line merchandise from lighting, drawer systems, handles, hinges, locking mechanisms, and more. Even better, Austin Guaranteed Engineered Solutions™ provides businesses like yours with state-of-the-art products guaranteed to give you the solutions you need. 

The two primary linkage options available for your multi-point latches are Rods and Cables. Each offers a different set of advantages and disadvantages. 

If you're debating which is right for your application, here's a breakdown of our findings. 

Rods are more common in multi-point latch applications for several reasons, but primarily because of their durability. They are generally stronger and more durable than cables. Financially, while the cost of the raw materials for rods and cables is very close, rods tend to be more economical than a complete cable system. Cable systems require more components for assembly, thus making them more complex and costly to use. Many companies will form rods on their own, which also can help to keep costs down.