Key Takeaways

• Royal Brass and Hose was founded in 1949 as a wagon jobber, with the founder selling brass fittings from the trunk of a car.
• The company has grown from a single-person operation into a national distributor with 11 locations across 10 states.
• CEO Drew MacDonald emphasizes that people, both employees and customers, have always been at the center of the company's growth strategy.
• Royal Brass and Hose transitioned from traditional distribution to B2B ecommerce, expanding its product reach through digital channels.
• An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) structure reflects the company's commitment to treating employees as stakeholders in the business.

Royal Brass and Hose has been a trusted name in industrial distribution for 75 years. What started in 1949 as a one-person operation selling brass fittings from the trunk of a car has grown into a national distributor with 11 locations across the country. To mark this milestone, we sat down with CEO Drew MacDonald to reflect on the journey, the people who made it possible, and what the next 75 years might look like.

How Did Royal Brass and Hose Start as a Family-Owned Business?

Royal Brass and Hose was founded in 1949 by Drew MacDonald's grandfather, who began by selling brass fittings out of the trunk of his car, a true wagon jobber operation. The business was built on relationships, with the founder calling on customers directly and building a reputation for reliability and expertise.

Drew MacDonald: "When my grandfather started this business, it was just him and a trunk full of fittings. He built it on the idea that if you took care of your customers, they would take care of you. That philosophy is still at the heart of what we do today."

The company passed through the family, with each generation adding locations, expanding the product offering, and strengthening the customer base. What remained constant was the commitment to service and the belief that relationships are the foundation of the business.

How Has Royal Brass and Hose Evolved with the Times?

Over 75 years, Royal Brass and Hose has moved well beyond its original brass fittings product line. The company now distributes hydraulic hose and fittings, industrial hose, pneumatic components, pressure washer equipment, fasteners, thread sealants, and more.

Drew MacDonald: "The industry has changed enormously since 1949. The products have changed, the customers have changed, and the way people buy has changed. If you don't evolve with it, you get left behind. We've always tried to anticipate where the market is going rather than just reacting to it."

One of the most significant shifts was the move to B2B ecommerce, which expanded the company's reach beyond its physical branch network and allowed customers to purchase online at any time. This transition required significant investment in product data, systems, and digital infrastructure, but it positioned Royal Brass and Hose to serve a broader customer base.

How Has Royal Brass and Hose Expanded Its Product Portfolio?

From its roots in brass fittings, Royal Brass and Hose has grown its product portfolio to include thousands of SKUs across hydraulic, industrial, pneumatic, and specialty product categories. This expansion has been driven by customer demand and the evolving needs of Maintenance, Repair, and Operating (MRO) customers across agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and other industries.

Drew MacDonald: "We listen to our customers. When they tell us they need something we don't carry, we take that seriously. Our product portfolio today is the result of 75 years of listening to what the market needs and finding the right suppliers to deliver it."

The company partners with leading manufacturers and distributors to ensure product quality and availability. Strategic sourcing and strong supplier relationships have been key to the company's ability to offer a broad, reliable product line.

How Does Royal Brass and Hose Keep Employees at the Center?

Royal Brass and Hose operates as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, meaning employees have an ownership stake in the business. This structure reflects the company's belief that the people who do the work should share in the company's success.

Drew MacDonald: "Our people are everything. When you're an ESOP, you're not just an employee — you're an owner. That changes how people think about their work and how they treat customers. We've seen that play out in the quality of service our team delivers every day."

The ESOP structure also supports employee retention and continuity. Long-tenured employees bring deep product knowledge and strong customer relationships, both of which are difficult to replicate and essential to the company's reputation.

What Does the Future Hold for Royal Brass and Hose?

As Royal Brass and Hose marks 75 years in business, the focus is on continuing to grow while staying true to the principles that got the company here: customer service, product expertise, and investment in people.

Drew MacDonald: "The next 75 years are going to look very different from the first 75. Technology is changing everything — how customers find us, how they buy from us, how we manage inventory and logistics. But the fundamentals don't change. Customers want to do business with people they trust, who know what they're talking about and deliver when they say they will. That's what we're going to keep doing."

Plans for continued growth include expanding the digital presence, strengthening the product offering in key categories, and opening additional locations where the market supports it.

Learn more about Royal Brass and Hose

To learn more about the history and milestones of Royal Brass and Hose, read: Royal Brass and Hose: 75 Years of Connections You Can Depend On.

For questions or to connect with our team, contact Royal Brass and Hose at 800-669-9650.