Careers at Stellar Industrial Supply

Mission

Create maximum value growth through long-term profit on invested capital

History

Stellar Industrial Supply is one of the most well-known industrial distributors in the United States. Founded in 1988 in Tacoma, Washington, Stellar provides metalworking, safety and marine products for a range of industries including aerospace, marine, food, and manufacturing. Following the launch of the company, founder and CEO, John Wiborg, purchased Eltee Tool and Supply in October of 1988.

The company made its first foray into the construction industry in 1990 when it purchased New Era Construction. The early 1990s were a period of steady growth led by acquisitions. In 1998, Stellar acquired Morse Industrial and opened a second branch in Paso, Washington. In 2000, the company merged with Wentworth Sales and acquired Mallory Industrial. Two years later, the company merged with Everett Industrial. Stellar’s Spokane, Washington branch was opened in 2004.

Stellar expanded into Oregon in 2007, when it opened its first branch in Portland. In the same year, Stellar merged with Bassett Industrial Supply. In 2008, Stellar began expanding nation-wide, opening its first branch in New York. In 2013, Stellar went through an additional merger, joining BC Tool and Carbide. In the same year, the company opened another branch in Oregon.

The year 2015 saw Stellar go through a number of mergers and acquisitions. It merged with AMT in January 2015. Another merger took place when Impact Industrial Supplies was brought on board in June. Stellar made another merger and acquired Tuscon Abrasive during the same year. In February 2015, Stellar opened its first branch in Oklahoma.

Stellar’s acquision of Tuscon in particular was a crucial step in expanding to the Southwestern United States. The merger with Impact Industrial Supplies also provided entry into the Florida market. Stellar has become one of the largest industrial suppliers in the Northwest region of the United States and continues to follow a strategy of mergers, acquisitions and expansion.