1855
Company Founded
Brothers William and Charles B. Roff arrive in Toledo, Ohio by horseback from Racine, Wisconsin to negotiate a retail/wholesale hardware business. The company, Roff & Co., opens on July 2nd, 1855, and becomes the “Sign of the Anvil”.
1862
Oscar A. Bostwick Joins
Becomes first traveling salesman and a principal by 1865.
1866-1868
Braun Cousins Join
Carl F. Braun (1866) and cousin George Braun (1868) acquire interest in the company.
1873
The Bostwick-Braun Co.
With the Brauns purchasing shares in 1868 and Charles Roff retiring in 1873, the company became known as The Bostwick-Braun & Co.
1908
Warehouse Expansion
The company constructs a massive, eight story, 300,000 square foot building. It was said to have held over 200 million pounds of merchandise.
1913
H. L. Thompson Presidency
His leadership guides the company through WWI and the Great Depression (1913–1939).
1936
Focus Shift to Wholesale
Retail operations are closed to focus solely on wholesaling.
1980
100% Employee Owned
Sold to the employees by the Thompson family, the company becomes an ESOP.
1985
Warehouse Relocation
Distribution center moved to Ashley, Indiana. Although the move causes severe problems, it is also the reason the company remains profitable.
2006
Steel City Products
Acquired in Pennsylvania, but has customers throughout the country. Steel City Products distributes automotive, lawn & garden, and pet products.
2010
JMC Sales & Engineering
Acquisition of an industrial distributor of quality tooling, along with a full array of tooling accessories in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.
2010
100M Milestone
Bostwick-Braun surpasses $100 million in sales.
2012
Columbus Fasteners Co. (CFC)
Fasteners and industrial supplies distributor acquired with two Ohio locations.
2017
Wayne Fasteners
Acquisition in Fort Wayne strengthens fastener distribution.
2020
EBN Industrial Supply
Seven-location acquisition expands presence in IN, KY, and IL.
2021
Hi-Tech Tooling
Added specialty tooling and industrial expertise.
2022
Mill Supplies Inc. (MSI)
Construction and industrial tool distributor acquired.
2024
Industrial Focus
Bostwick-Braun sold the hardware division in 2024 to House-Hasson Hardware to focus solely on its industrial distribution.
2025
Rebrand and Consolidation
All divisions unified under one brand: Bostwick Braun. New structure, same strength.