HISTORY

The Hardware Hank story begins in the fall of 1945... 

The Second World War was ending, when a visionary businessman named E.J. "Gene" Koblas acquires an interest in the United Hardware Distributing Company. Soon after, Mr. Koblas organizes a membership-based buying group of 100 furniture stores and operates under the name United Furniture Distributing Company.  

This venture proves successful and on January 1, 1949, the two enterprises merge to form the United Hardware & Furniture Company. A few years later, Koblas issues stock to each of the members in the hardware division, while still retaining a controlling interest. In 1953, the furniture division was sold and Koblas moved to serve as the company's chairman of the board.  

Four years later, in October of 1957, a group of retailers purchased a controlling interest of the hardware division and set off down the path of creating the member-directed organization known as United Hardware Distributing Co. At this time the organization launched the Hardware Hank brand that still thrives to this day.  

Hardware Hank celebrated his 60th birthday in 2017 and in 2019 Hardware Hannah became the newest member of the Hardware Hank family. 

Hardwarehank.com eCommerce website launched in 2021, and the corporate headquarters of United Hardware Distributing Co. has moved to Maple Grove, MN.