What Alaska Industrial Hardware does

Alaska Industrial Hardware, Inc. (AIH) is an Alaskan industrial hardware distributor founded in 1959 by James Thompson in Anchorage, now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) following the July 31, 2015 acquisition. The company sells hand and power tools, fasteners, safety equipment, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pneumatics, hydraulics, welding, material handling, industrial machinery, janitorial, fleet, paints, abrasives, and adhesives across 60+ product categories and 20+ brands including Hilti, DeWALT, Milwaukee, 3M DBI-SALA, PPG Paints, Grundens, and XTRATUF. Distribution runs through 8 retail stores in Anchorage (3), Fairbanks, Kenai, Juneau, Wasilla, and Eagle River, a wholesale subsidiary (General Hardware Distributors), an e-commerce storefront at aih.com with multiple shipping carrier options, and a federal government channel via GSA Schedule contract GS-21F-0067Y.

The revenue model is hybrid. Retail hardware sales drive one-time transactions; commercial and corporate accounts layer in custom volume-based pricing, credit terms, purchase order workflows, and dedicated account management; tool repair services generate professional-services revenue as an authorized service center and drop-off hub; the rewards program (managed via mypatronrewards.com) drives repeat consumer traffic with points redeemable for AIH Digital Gift Cards; and GSA contracting serves federal buyers with AIH's Disadvantaged (Native-Owned) Small Business designation. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer retail and e-commerce with an enterprise field sales motion targeted at contractors and commercial accounts. Stated inventory exceeds $20 million to support Alaska communities across a geographically dispersed state with limited competing distribution.

AIH's underlying technology stack is conventional commerce infrastructure rather than a differentiated platform: an e-commerce site with an integrated customer portal, third-party SMS marketing via SimpleTexting, credit account management via TermSync, and ADP for HR/recruiting. There is no disclosed proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, API, SDK, or MCP offering. The company's defensibility rests on Alaska-specific physical distribution density, 65+ years of operating history, BSNC ownership, and Native-owned small business status in federal procurement rather than on technology differentiation.

Name

Alaska Industrial Hardware

Legal name

Alaska Industrial Hardware, Inc.

Website

https://aih.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Alaska Industrial Hardware is a privately held, BSNC-owned industrial hardware distributor founded in 1959 that sells tools, fasteners, safety, contractor, and industrial supplies through 8 retail stores across Alaska, a wholesale subsidiary, an e-commerce site, and a federal GSA contracting channel, serving contractors, commercial accounts, government buyers, and individual consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Hardware Distribution

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Power Equipment Parts & Service Retail (CRAIADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical Supplies Retail (Wiring, Switches, Breakers, Conduit) (CRAIADAE), Doors, Windows & Millwork Hardware Retail (Locks, Hinges, Handles) (CRAIADAJ), Enclosures, Thermal Management & Hardware (Fasteners) Retail (CRACAKAL), Soldering, Rework & Electronics Hand Tools Retail (CRACAKAG)

Keywords

• Industrial hardware distribution
• Power tools retail
• Contractor supplies
• Hardware store
• Safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Anchorage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Retail Product Sales: One-time hardware product sales through retail stores and e-commerce. Products include hand tools, power tools, builder hardware, contractor supplies, industrial supplies, safety products, and seasonal merchandise. Sales occur both in-store and online with standard transaction processing.
2. Commercial Account Services: Business accounts with custom pricing based on business volume and purchase history. Includes credit terms, purchase order capabilities, and dedicated account management for contractors and commercial customers.
3. Tool Repair Services: Authorized repair center for various brands including Hotsy, BEP, Enerco, Husqvarna, STIHL, Paslode, Hitachi Koki, Senco. Also serves as drop-off point for Milwaukee, DeWALT, Bosch, Makita, and Hilti cordless tool repairs sent to factory service centers.
4. Rewards Program: Point-based loyalty program earning 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying purchases. Points redeemable for AIH Digital Gift Cards. Managed through external platform at mypatronrewards.com.
5. Government Contracting (GSA): GSA Schedule contract (GS-21F-0067Y) providing products and services to federal government customers. Contract period March 2017 through March 2027. Classified as a Disadvantaged (Native-Owned) Small Business.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alaska Industrial Hardware distributes and retails industrial hardware, tools, contractor supplies, safety equipment, and related maintenance products across Alaska through 8 retail stores and an e-commerce platform. The company sells over 60 product categories including hand and power tools, fasteners, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pneumatics, hydraulics, welding, and material handling, along with value-added services including tool repair, commercial credit accounts, GSA government contracting, and a customer rewards program.

Product overview

Alaska Industrial Hardware (AIH) is an Alaskan industrial hardware distributor serving both consumer and B2B customers since 1959. The company operates a multi-channel retail and e-commerce platform offering hand tools, power tools, fasteners, hardware, safety equipment, contractor supplies, industrial products, and specialized solutions tailored for Alaskan conditions. The product portfolio spans over 60 categories including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pneumatics, hydraulics, welding, material handling, fleet maintenance, and industrial machinery. AIH carries over 20 professional brands including Hilti, DeWALT, Milwaukee, 3M DBI-SALA, XTRATUF, Grundens, and PPG Paints. The company offers additional services including tool repair, commercial and corporate accounts, GSA government contracting, credit management, and a rewards program. Founded in 1959 and acquired by Bering Straits Native Corporation in 2015, AIH operates 8 retail locations across Alaska.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hand Tools
• Power Tools
• Fasteners
• Safety and Security Products
• Lawn, Garden and Outdoor Equipment
• Electrical Products
• Plumbing Hardware
• HVAC and Refrigeration
• Pneumatics
• Hydraulics
• Welding and Soldering
• Material Handling, Storage and Rigging
• Janitorial and Facility Maintenance
• Fleet and Vehicle Maintenance
• Paints, Equipment and Supplies
• Industrial Control Products
• Bearings
• Machinery
• Testing and Measuring Equipment
• Abrasives
• Adhesives and Sealants
• AIH Tool Repair Center
• AIH Rewards Program
• Commercial Accounts
• Corporate Business Account
• GSA Government Service Agreements
• Credit Department Services

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• General Hardware Distributors (GHD)coreOthersWholesale division of AIH serving as Alaska's largest hardware wholesaler. Offers large selection of hand & power tools, hardware, contractor's supplies, industrial supplies, and safety products with large local warehouse and extensive inventory.
• General Services Administration (GSA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAIH holds GSA Schedule contract GS-21F-0067Y for government procurement. Contract period March 2, 2017 through March 1, 2027. AIH is classified as a Disadvantaged (Native-Owned) Small Business. Government sales contacts available at (800) 478-7201 or (907) 276-7201.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Construction Supply House (Alaska): Construction Supply Inc. is an Alaska-based construction materials and supplies distributor serving Anchorage-area contractors with lumber, building materials, and related construction products. While their product focus is heavier on building materials/lumber than AIH's industrial hardware emphasis, they compete for the same Alaska contractor customers and represent the closest geography-matched direct competitor.
• Spenard Builders Supply: Spenard Builders Supply (SBS) is an Alaska-based building materials and hardware retailer serving contractors and consumers across Alaska with lumber, hardware, tools, and home improvement products. Both companies compete directly for Alaska contractor and DIY customers with overlapping hardware, tool, and building supply categories, making SBS the most direct Alaska-market competitor with multiple retail locations.

Broad incumbents

• MSC Industrial Direct: MSC Industrial is a major U.S. metalworking and industrial supply distributor serving manufacturers and government with tools, MRO supplies, and safety products. Both companies target industrial B2B customers, government contracts, and contractor accounts with overlapping product categories, though MSC's primary focus on metalworking manufacturing differentiates it from AIH's broader contractor/retail mix.
• Fastenal: Fastenal operates the largest U.S. industrial and construction supply distribution network with on-site vendor-managed inventory, retail locations, and e-commerce serving contractors and manufacturers. Both companies compete directly for contractor and industrial accounts in fastener, tool, and safety categories, with Fastenal's vending/in-site solutions representing a different go-to-market approach to AIH's storefront-and-commercial-account model.
• Grainger: Grainger is the largest U.S. industrial MRO distributor serving contractors, manufacturers, and government with a comprehensive catalog of tools, hardware, safety, and facility maintenance products via e-commerce and branch network. Both companies sell into the same end-customer segments (contractors, commercial accounts, government) with overlapping product categories, though Grainger operates at national scale with deeper digital infrastructure.
• Home Depot Pro: Home Depot Pro is Home Depot's B2B division serving professional contractors, remodelers, and property managers with volume pricing, dedicated account managers, and credit terms. Both companies target the same Alaska contractor and commercial-account customer base with overlapping tools, hardware, and building supply categories, though Home Depot operates from a national footprint and competitive national supply chain.
• McMaster-Carr: McMaster-Carr is a national industrial supplier specializing in hardware, fasteners, tools, and MRO products with a renowned e-commerce catalog. While AIH serves Alaska locally with a broad product mix, McMaster-Carr competes on the same SKU categories (especially fasteners, hand tools, raw materials) via direct shipping, making it the closest product-category competitor outside Alaska.

Direct peers

• Ace Hardware: Ace Hardware is a U.S. cooperative of independently owned hardware retail stores serving consumers and small contractors with tools, hardware, and home improvement supplies. Like AIH, Ace stores are local-owner-operated retail outlets with strong community ties, comparable product mixes (hand tools, fasteners, electrical, plumbing, outdoor), and a contractor-friendly service orientation — making it the closest direct retail peer despite Ace's national brand presence.
• True Value: True Value is a U.S. hardware cooperative serving independent local hardware retailers with tools, paint, plumbing, electrical, and seasonal products. Similar to AIH, True Value-affiliated stores operate as community-based hardware retailers serving both DIY consumers and local contractors with comparable product assortments and service-oriented retail models.
• Do it Best: Do it Best is a U.S. hardware cooperative serving independent retailers with hardware, tools, paint, and building supply products through wholesale distribution. Like AIH, Do it Best member stores serve local communities with a full-line hardware assortment and contractor/consumer customer mix, though Do it Best's cooperative model contrasts with AIH's wholly-owned-BSNC structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AIHalaska
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alaska-industrial-hardware-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Alaska Industrial Hardware