J.L. Matthews

What J.L. Matthews does

J.L. Matthews Co., Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned specialty retailer founded in 1946 and headquartered at 620 W. Felix St., Fort Worth, Texas. The company sells professional-grade tools, climbing gear, safety equipment, and specialized footwear to three trade verticals: utility linemen (primary), arborists, and structural ironworkers. Its catalog spans approximately 3,009 SKUs across lineman (2,400), arborist (642), and ironworker (390) categories, with price points ranging from $0.35 per foot of rope to $34,000 for heavy equipment, and an own-brand line of roughly 107 items.

The business operates an omnichannel model built on a Shopify e-commerce storefront (jlmatthews.com) that supports both consumer checkout and B2B logged-in commercial accounts, supplemented by a physical retail storefront in Fort Worth and a toll-free phone sales line (1-800-421-3360) for bulk and B2B orders. The technology stack is standard Shopify commerce infrastructure with integrated payments (Shop Pay, PayPal, major cards), PCI-DSS-compliant handling, and account/cart-sharing features. The company also operates an in-house Tool Repair Center, adding a service revenue stream on top of one-time product sales.

Revenue mechanics come from three streams: e-commerce product sales (B2C and B2B), in-store retail/will-call, and tool repair services. The featured vendor portfolio is anchored by industry-leading brands (Klein Tools with 485+ SKUs, MADI, RudeDog USA, Bashlin, Hastings, Jameson Tools, NSA, Speed Systems) and complemented by curated collections such as "By Linemen for Linemen," Hurricane/Storm Ready, Women's Collection, and American Made. Distribution is domestic (USA) with free shipping on orders over $100 via code FREESHIP4U and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Name

J.L. Matthews

Legal name

J.L. Matthews Co., Inc.

Website

https://jlmatthews.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

J.L. Matthews is a fourth-generation family-owned specialty retailer based in Fort Worth, Texas, selling professional-grade tools, climbing gear, safety equipment, and footwear to utility linemen, arborists, and ironworkers through a Shopify e-commerce platform and physical storefront since 1946.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Tools & Safety Equipment Retail

NAICS

Hardware Retailers (44414)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Tools & Tool Accessories Retail (Hand, Power, Pneumatic) (CRAIADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safety, PPE & Workwear Retail (Gloves, Respirators, Eye/Ear Protection) (CRAIADAK), Workplace/Jobsite Supplies Retail (Site Consumables, Tarps, Ropes, Chains) (CRAIADAN)

Keywords

• Lineman tools
• Arborist equipment
• Ironworker gear
• Safety footwear
• Climbing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Worth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (E-commerce): Direct-to-consumer and B2B product sales through Shopify e-commerce platform. Products include tools, safety equipment, climbing gear, boots, and accessories for linemen, arborists, and ironworkers. Both individual consumer purchases and commercial accounts supported.
2. Retail Storefront Sales: Physical retail location in Fort Worth, Texas for walk-in customers and will-call orders.
3. Tool Repair Services: Tool Repair Center offering repair services for most tools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

J.L. Matthews is a fourth-generation family-owned retailer that sells professional-grade tools, climbing and fall-protection equipment, electrical-hazard-rated safety boots, insulating rubber gloves, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for utility linemen, professional arborists, and structural ironworkers. The company distributes through a Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront serving customers across the United States, complemented by a walk-in retail location in Fort Worth, Texas, a toll-free phone order line for bulk and B2B accounts, and an in-house Tool Repair Center for after-sale service.

Product overview

J.L. Matthews is a family-owned B2B/B2C e-commerce retailer specializing in professional-grade tools and safety equipment for utility linemen, arborists, and structural ironworkers. The company operates a Shopify-hosted storefront offering approximately 3,009 products across multiple product categories. The core portfolio consists of specialized hand tools (lineman hand tools, ironworker tools), climbing and fall protection equipment (harnesses, lanyards, pole climbers), protective footwear (lineman boots, arborist boots, ironworker boots), rubber insulating gloves, bucket truck equipment, and arborist supplies (ropes, pruning tools). The company also carries an own-brand line (J.L. Matthews branded products) comprising approximately 107 items including canvas tool aprons, tool buckets, rescue dummies, and pre-configured climbing kits. Featured third-party brands include MADI, Klein Tools, Bashlin, Speed Systems, Hastings, Jameson Tools, RudeDog, Slingco, and Husqvarna. The platform offers curated collections including Hurricane/Storm Ready packages, Made by Linemen products, and Women's Collection. The company provides free shipping on orders over $100, tool repair services, and serves utility workers nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lineman Hand Tools Hand tools specifically designed for utility linemen including hammers, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, and specialized tools for power line construction and maintenance.
• Lineman Climbing Gear Pole climbing equipment including harnesses, lanyards, positioning devices, ascenders, descenders, and safety climbing accessories for utility workers.
• Lineman Boots Specialized footwear for linemen featuring electrical hazard protection rated up to 18,000 volts, steel/composite toe protection, climbing-specific tall logger heels, and waterproof construction.
• Lineman Rubber Gloves Insulating rubber gloves providing electrical hazard protection in voltage classes from Class 00 through Class 4 for safe handling of energized electrical equipment.
• Lineman Bucket Truck Equipment Equipment for aerial bucket trucks including tool boards, buckets, bucket harnesses, hot sticks, grounding equipment, and material handling tools.
• Lineman Rodeo Gear Training and competition equipment for lineman rodeos including rescue dummies, rescue straps, and first-aid training supplies.
• Lineman Apparel and Clothing Protective workwear for utility workers including FR clothing, arc flash kits, safety glasses, sunglasses, hard hats, gloves, and high-visibility apparel.
• Arborist Tools Tree care equipment including chainsaws, pruning saws, pole pruners, replacement blades, and tree felling wedges for professional arborists.
• Arborist Ropes Climbing and rigging ropes for tree work including static kernmantle ropes, throw lines, throw weights, and climbing cords.
• Arborist Boots Specialized climbing boots for arborists featuring reinforced shanks, aggressive tread patterns, and waterproof construction for tree climbing applications.
• Ironworker Tools and Gear Hand tools, cutting equipment, and material handling gear designed for structural ironworkers including bolt cutters, pliers, and connecting bars.
• Structural Ironworker PPE Gear Personal protective equipment for ironworkers including fall protection harnesses, lanyards, safety helmets, and FR clothing.
• Ironworker Boots Steel-toe work boots designed for ironworkers with reinforced construction and electrical hazard protection.
• J.L. Matthews Branded Products Company's own line of tools and equipment including canvas tool aprons, tool buckets, bucket hooks, rescue dummies, and climbing kits.
• JL Matthews Climbing Kit Options Pre-configured climbing tool sets including entry-level kit ($2,500), premium-level kit ($4,100), and professional hand tool kit ($426.50).
• Hurricane / Storm Ready Collection Pre-assembled equipment packages and essential tools for storm-damage response and utility restoration work.
• Tool Repair Services In-house Tool Repair Center offering repair services for most tools purchased from J.L. Matthews.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted by 100,000+ utility workers nationwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BashlinminorOthersFeatured vendor brand offering pole climbing gear, climbing boots, rescue equipment, and fall protection products for linemen and arborists. Bashlin has deep roots in the utility industry.
• Drake PowerminorOthersFeatured vendor providing power tools and equipment for utility professionals.
• HastingsminorOthersFeatured vendor brand offering hot sticks, pruning saws, climbing gear, and professional tools for linemen.
• Jameson ToolsminorOthersFeatured vendor providing tree climbing equipment, pole saws, fish tapes, and utility tools. Major supplier of arborist and lineman tools.
• Klein ToolscoreOthersMajor featured vendor and industry-leading brand for hand tools, wire pulling, and electrical equipment. One of the largest brand presences in the catalog with 485+ products.
• MADIcoreOthersLineman-owned company (partner brand) offering specialized hand tools, wrenches, hammers, knives, and climbing equipment designed by field professionals. Products marketed as 'Made by lineman for lineman'.
• National Safety Apparel (NSA)minorOthersFeatured vendor providing FR clothing, arc flash protection, hi-vis apparel, and safety workwear for utility and construction professionals.
• RudeDog USAcoreOthersFeatured vendor and lineman-owned company offering ironworker tools, holsters, speed bolts, tool belts, and erection equipment. Promoted as partner in 'By Linemen for Linemen' collection.
• Slingco America, IncminorOthersFeatured vendor offering cable handling equipment, reel lifters, wire dispensers, and handline blocks for utility and telecommunications professionals.
• Speed SystemsminorOthersFeatured vendor providing cable preparation tool kits, compression tools, and termination equipment for power cable system installation.
• Wye DeltaminorOthersFeatured vendor offering safety equipment, grounding tools, and utility products for line work.
• Lineman SolutionscoreOthersLineman-owned company featured in 'By Linemen for Linemen' collection. Products include bucket hooks, tool holders, and safety equipment designed by working linemen.
• Co EyewearminorOthersNew vendor partner providing sunglasses and eyewear 'built from the trades, for the trades' to keep workers safe and stylish.
• Shopify Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform provider hosting the J.L. Matthews online store. Handles payment processing, data storage, and order management through Shopify's infrastructure.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jlmatthewsco
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@jlmatthewsco
• Facebookfacebook.com/jlmatthewsco
• Instagraminstagram.com/jlmatthewsco
• TikToktiktok.com/@jlmatthewsco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/j-l-matthews

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about J.L. Matthews