Supporting Critical Process Solutions Since 1959
Our Story Is Built on Solving Problems
From a 1959 California startup to North America’s premier end-to-end partner for Mission‑Critical Flow Control
Our History
Harrington’s story is one of steady growth, technical excellence, and an unwavering commitment to people. What began as a local specialist in corrosion-resistant systems has evolved into a leading national supply chain platform delivering comprehensive process and flow control solutions.
From our earliest days, we set out to solve complex challenges with dependable execution, principled leadership, and a people-first mindset. Over time, that foundation has driven the expansion of our capabilities – enabling us to better support customers operating in high-purity, sanitary, corrosive, and harsh or hazardous environments, where performance and reliability matter most.
Where We Started (1959–1974)
The Beginning: Solving a Real Industry Need
Harrington was founded with a simple belief: when customers face complex, high stakes challenges, they need partners they can trust. From the beginning, our focus has been on deep technical knowledge, responsive local service, and long-term customer relationships.
Key Milestones
1959
Harrington Industrial Plastics was founded in Lynwood, California, by G.H. “Hank” Harrington to support wholesalers and industrial customers needing dependable plastic repair components.
1960
The company expanded beyond repair parts into full plastic pipe and fittings distribution and opened its first location outside California in Cleveland, Ohio.
1972
Harrington expanded into thermoplastics and corrosion-resistant solutions, establishing the foundation for its modern process piping expertise.
Growing with Purpose (1975–1996)
Building the Regional Network
As our customers’ needs evolved, so did we. Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Harrington expanded its capabilities, geographic footprint, and industry expertise, guided by a long-term mindset focused on investing in people, strengthening our supply chain, and doing what’s right for the customer.
Key Milestones
1975
First Pittsburgh location opened in Braddock, Pennsylvania
1979
Monroeville branch opened, serving steel and engineering customers
1987–1989
White Oak facility development and relocation
1995–1997
Modernized Monroeville and expanded warehousing
1996
Facilities modernization across North America
Expanding Capability (2000–2010)
Becoming a Modern Technical Distributor
The early 2000s marked Harrington’s transition from a regional distributor to a technical solutions provider. As process systems became more complex, Harrington intentionally expanded beyond its original scope by bringing together plastics, metals, instrumentation, and rotating equipment. This evolution was driven by a clear goal: to be a single, trusted partner capable of supporting the entire process system, not just individual components.
Key Milestones
2000
National branding identity introduced
2001
Harrington launched its first e-commerce platform, giving customers new capabilities and easier access to ordering and information.
2005
Harrington continued to enhance its brand identity and customer experience with a refreshed logo and updated marketing initiatives.
2006
Harrington began a major national expansion initiative, adding multiple branches in strategically important industrial and ultra-pure markets.
2007
The White Oak location was expanded with upgraded warehouse capacity and improved staff support areas to better serve customers.
2008
Training investment begins (foundation of Harrington University)
2009
The Monroeville branch was remodeled, providing customers with enhanced service experience and improved branch logistics.
One Platform. Broader Solutions. One Standard of Execution. (2011–2019)
Supporting Critical Industries Nationwide
The evolution into what Harrington is today, represents more than growth – it reflects a shared identity built on collaboration, accountability, and trust. By bringing together strong businesses and talented teams under a unified culture, we’ve created a platform that combines national strength with local execution.
Today, Harrington operates as a supply chain company specializing in value-added distribution, purpose-built to deliver complete process flow control solutions. With expertise spanning plastics, metals, instrumentation, pumps, and fabrication, we support customers as a single, trusted partner, helping simplify sourcing, reduce risk, and improve system performance. Our guiding principle, Think Big. Act Small. Succeed Together., captures how we operate today while honoring the values that shaped our past.
Key Milestones
2011
Harrington achieved record territory coverage with over 50 branches across the United States. This expansion allowed for faster delivery and deeper support for industrial and high-purity customers.
2015
Harrington completed a multi-year modernization initiative, refreshing its national brand identity. The new blue-drop logo symbolized water, purity, and corrosive solutions—the core of Harrington’s mission.
2019
Harrington celebrated its 60th Anniversary. The milestone was marked with national events, customer appreciation programs, and community engagement initiatives.
Harrington Today (2020–Present)
Built for Integrated Process Solutions
Today, Harrington serves customers across multiple mission-critical industries as a nationally coordinated, locally executed solutions platform. We support OEMs, contractors, EPCs, and end users with deep technical expertise, a broad portfolio spanning plastic and metal flow control solutions, and integrated services including fabrication, repair, rentals, and lifecycle support.
While our capabilities and scale have expanded significantly, our purpose remains unchanged: to help customers design, build, operate, and maintain critical process systems with confidence.
Jul. 2020
Sep. 2022
Dec. 2023
Aug.2024
Oct. 2024
Nov. 2024
Feb. 2026
Feb. 2026
Key Milestones
2020
The strategic acquisition of Aetna Plastics strengthened our national network by expanding fabrication capabilities and broadening our overall product offering. This addition enhanced Harrington’s ability to serve customers with greater reach, deeper technical resources, and more complete flow control and plastics solutions across key markets.
2021
The Monroeville team continued to support regional growth by expanding product offerings and partnering with new industries across Western Pennsylvania.
2022
Harrington expanded warehouse automation, implemented advanced logistics technologies, and opened additional strategic hubs to support the company’s rapid growth. The addition of Crist Group further strengthened these efforts by expanding our capabilities in high-purity applications serving critical industries such as semiconductor manufacturing and data centers.
2023
Harrington enhanced its national fabrication capabilities and increased investment in cleanroom, high-purity, industrial, and corrosive-system assemblies. We also added PumpMan, expanding our capabilities in pump sales, service, and maintenance with a broader national scope.
2024
The Pittsburgh–Monroeville region continues to grow as a hub for critical industries, including semiconductors, life sciences, steel, chemical processing, and water treatment. With the addition of Fluid Gauge, Cortrol, and J2Resources to our family of companies, we have expanded our capabilities in metals and extended our reach across key markets.
Powered by People.
Driven by Purpose
As Harrington continues to grow, our focus remains unchanged: solving real customer problems. Whether supporting a single facility or a national program, our approach stays consistent—listen carefully, apply the right technical expertise, and deliver solutions that perform. Scale allows us to do more, but it never replaces what matters most: being responsive, accountable, and deeply committed to customer success.
Powered by people and driven by purpose, our story is written by those who show up every day to serve customers, support one another, and move the business forward. We are more than a solutions provider. We are a trusted partner in our customers’ success. By focusing on reliability, quality, and innovation, we ensure every system and every project delivers results that last.
Need answers from a trusted source?
Call our toll-free number at 1-800-213-4528 and you will be connected to a live person – not a recording.
You may also use the contact form below for any questions regarding our products and services.
Our growth has followed the needs of industry. As manufacturing advanced, so did the materials, systems, and expertise required to support it. Each decade represents new technologies, new markets, and deeper capabilities.
