Journey Through the History of 80/20
Explore the journey of 80/20 from its humble beginnings to becoming a leader in T-slot aluminum framing. Trace its origins back to 1989 and follow its growth over the decades. Discover the company’s rapid expansions, innovative product developments, and the technology that drives its custom solutions. Get to know the people behind 80/20 and see how their expertise continues to shape the industry.
Established in 1989
• Founded by Don Wood
• Original Location: Fort Wayne, IN Enterprise Center
• First Product: Thrusters & Slides
• Taglined as The Industrial Erector Set
• First Catalog: 7 Pages
1990s
• Moved to 20,000 Sq. Ft. on Commerical Rd., Fort Wayne, IN
• Debut of first demo van
• 72-page product catalog
• 15 employees
• Moved to Columbia City, IN (65,000 Sq. Ft)
• Value Add (build service) first offered
• First website
• 50 employees
• First AutoQuoter™ launch
• UniBearing™ introduced
• Metric product line announced
• 138 employees
2000s
• 95,000 Sq. Ft. building expansion
• AutoQuoterX™ released
• 24 new T-slot profiles introduced
• 174 employees
• First big book product catalog (836 pages)
• Holey Tube® (Ready Tube®) Series launched
• 204 employees
• In-house anodize department added
• 4 new smooth fractional profiles
• First flipbooks published (Vol. 1&2)
• 252 employees
2010s
• 90,000 Sq. Ft. expansion
• Tech Toolkit™ introduced
• Black anodize profiles & parts launch
• AutoQuoterX™ II released
• Product catalog 18 published
• Office expansion (300,000 sq. ft.)
• Xtreme DIY® Series debuts (combo cabinet)
• Online ecommerce store goes live
• Product catalog design overhaul
• 80/20 becomes an ESOP Company
• Solidworks® Dynamic Library released
• New demo van graphics debut
• 10 series smooth profiles other parts launch
• Over 400 employees
2020s
• 80/20 is purchased by MPE Partners
• New logo, icon and tagline "Build Your Idea"
• 8020.net interface update
• Product catalog redesigned to new size
• 80/20 acquires Flexpipe Pipe & Joint System
• IdeaBuilder® debuts (web-based software)
• Robotic products debut (plates & pedestals)
• New products: lift systems, gravity rollers, lighting, pipe mounts, T-matic connectors