EastwoodCo
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive restoration supplies |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Curt Strohacker |
| Headquarters | Pottstown , United States |
Area served | Automotive restoration enthusiasts |
| Products | Rust inhibitors, coatings, paints, chemical products, powder coating, welding and metal fabrication tools, pressure blasting equipment |
| Owner | Kian Capital (since 2019) |
| Website | eastwood |
The Eastwood Company operates as a privately held distributor of automotive restoration supplies, with its main offices located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States. Established in 1978 by Curt Strohacker, the firm focuses on providing tools and materials for vehicle restoration.
History
Beginning in 1978 within a garage situated in a suburb of Philadelphia, Curt Strohacker launched Eastwood by marketing buffing wheels and polishing compounds via small advertisements in automotive periodicals. Presently, the company manages a combined distribution center and headquarters in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, distributing millions of vibrant catalogs annually and maintaining the Eastwood.com e-commerce site. In 2019, ownership of Eastwood transferred to Kian Capital.
Expansion and growth
Eastwood's first catalog consisted of eight pages printed in black and white, showcasing metal finishing products. By the early 1980s, the company had grown its mailing list to 5,000 recipients using professional list management services and began selling directly at automotive exhibitions. Between 1984 and 1985, Eastwood advertised in more than fifty magazines including Hot Rod, Car Craft, and Popular Mechanics. By 1986, the catalog expanded to 96 pages with a four-color cover, distributed six times a year to approximately 100,000 auto restoration enthusiasts. Toward the end of the 1980s, the mailing list had increased to half a million contacts.
Products
The company offers a range exceeding 5,000 items, which includes rust inhibitors, specialized coatings, paints, chemical products, powder coating, welding and metal fabrication tools, as well as pressure blasting equipment.
Awards and recognition
- 1998: Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence
- 1999: Best New Product from the Automotive Restoration Market Organization
- 2011: Popular Mechanics™ Editor's Choice Award recognizing Product Innovation and Design
- 2012: Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice Award for MIG Spot Weld Kit