Celebrating 39 Years!

This February, we celebrated a major milestone of 39 years in business! Jenny and Jim Knapp first opened our doors in 1987. Since then, the fastener industry has changed significantly. We’ve moved from paper ledgers and hand written orders to digital inventory and shipping globally. Our main goal remains the same after all this time, to provide personalized service and high quality products to every customer. As we look back on nearly four decades, we’re proud of how we have grown alongside our clients.

From a Small Shop to a 25,000 Sq. Ft. Facility

Our story began in a small shop in Waterloo, Ontario. In those early days, we weren’t moving close to the amount of volume that we do today. We used physical phone books, hand written orders, and had to physically run out to the warehouse to check if we stocked something.

Our business looks much different today. We work out of a 25,000 square foot facility in Cambridge, Ontario. We have multiple delivery vehicles and ship with a bunch of different couriers every day. This allows us to reach all across Canada and even around the globe. While our roots remain in the Waterloo Region, we now ship to unexpected locations like Ireland and Finland. Whether we’re providing local vendor managed inventory or international orders, we take pride in servicing across so many different industries.

The Team Behind Our Success

A company is only as strong as its people. We’re so fortunate to have a team is extremely dedicated. To reach 39 years, you need experts who grow with the business. We want to highlight three team members who’ve been with us for a long time and have been vital to our journey:

• Ron: Ron has been with us since almost the very beginning. He has worked in nearly every department over the decades. Today, he brings his expertise to our warehouse. He ensures every order is packed with extreme detail. You can always rely on him to pack an order correctly!

• Tim: Tim has seen the industry evolve firsthand. Even before Knapp he worked in the fastener industry. He started with us when every order was written by hand. Today, he manages complex accounts as a Senior Sales Rep using our digital systems. He knows the fastener industry so well!

• Steve: Steve has excelled in many roles across the company which has added to his experience. He works closely with many of our long-term vendor managed inventory clients and is a part of our sales team. His focus on customer service ensures our customers always have the stock they need.

Growing With Our Customers

We want to say a sincere thank you to our customers. Many of you have partnered with us since those early days in Waterloo. We have watched your businesses grow from small operations into what they are today! It has been an honour to grow with you. In the beginning, we might have shipped you a single box of a standard washer, and today we ship multi-skid orders and custom-manufactured products. Whether you’re in aerospace, construction, electronics, or manufacturing, your trust drives our success.

Looking Toward the 40-Year Milestone

As we celebrate 39 years, we’re already looking toward the future. Reaching four decades in business is a massive achievement. We’re gearing up for a year of innovation and continued service as we approach our 40th anniversary in 2027.

Thank you for being part of the Knapp Fasteners family!