The History of C&H Distributors

C&H Distributors started in 1937 as the C&H Electric Company when Charles Clark and Otto Henke began an electrical wiring business. In 1941, the company branched out into the sale of electric motors and other electrical equipment. Then in 1946, the company expanded again and began selling industrial government surplus to companies that were re-focusing their production efforts after the war. To promote this new business, the company started using space ads, penny postcards and eventually a small catalog.

By the late 1940s, as manufactured goods became more available, the company concentrated on commercial and industrial equipment and supplies. Eventually the company's name was changed again to its present form - C&H Distributors - to reflect this new focus. Then, as now, a premium was placed on providing quality products, good value and a high level of service.

As the company expanded, across the country, additional distribution centers were developed between 1981 and 1988 in Reno, NV; Dallas, TX (now closed); Atlanta, GA (now Southaven, MS); and Edison, NJ (now Cranbuy, NJ). These centers were added to provide fast delivery we believed our customers deserved. Today, over 92% of our stock merchandise is shipped within 24 hours and delivered within 2-3 days! In 1988, the company established a partnership with Kaiser + Kraft GmbH of Stuttgart, Germany to expand its international presence. Then in 1993, we expanded into Canada with Avenue Industrial Supply LTD and recently have expanded our services into Mexico.

As our distribution base grew, so did our catalog. From a simple black and white 12-page flyer with a few hundred items to the present, full color catalog contains over 750 pages displaying more than 40,000 items - with the deepest selection in the industry. That same catalog is now available as a complete, interactive, E-Commerce site to further expand your ordering options.

Since 1937, our growth has been based on a simple equation: "Give customers what they want, when they want it, at a good value, and with the kind of service we would like to receive ourselves."