USA1 Industries: A Journey of Growth and Resilience
Founding and Early Challenges
USA1 Industries was founded in 2008 by Randy Shelton in Burlington, NC. The company initially focused on providing restoration parts online for 1973-87 Chevy & GMC Square Body Trucks. Randy, however, soon found that the interior parts available from other manufacturers were disappointing customers. This led him to invest significant time researching original colors, materials, and trim options for these trucks. His dedication to authenticity and quality resulted in a new product line that would become the staple offering of USA1 Industries.
Growth and Expansion
Randy’s vision for the company's next steps required leveraging local resources. Located in the heart of what used to be a textile manufacturing hub, USA1 began building a network of material suppliers, textile mills, and manufacturers. By 2017, the company had outgrown its operational space and needed a larger facility to accommodate both warehousing and in-house manufacturing. That year, USA1 purchased a 10-acre, 69,000-square-foot facility, enabling further development of the Square Body product line.
To improve production efficiency, USA1 installed a new 26-foot paint booth to speed up the process for dyed interior products. As demand for Square Body parts grew, so did the need for more advanced manufacturing techniques. To meet this demand, USA1 acquired a 10ft x 5ft CNC router/cutting knife table and a CNC sewing machine to enhance production capabilities for seat covers, door panels, headliners, and more.
COVID-19 and Global Supply Chain Challenges
Just as USA1 was poised to supply the Square Body community with the highest quality products, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Randy, confident in the company's resilience, decided to stay the course, believing the impact would be short-lived. However, the pandemic proved to be a significant challenge. Small textile mills and other manufacturers struggled, with many going out of business or failing to meet USA1's needs.
Determined to overcome these obstacles, USA1's team re-developed processes, moved tooling from struggling suppliers, and brought more manufacturing in-house. Four years later, the supply chain issues have largely resolved, and USA1 is once again fully operational.
Mid-2024 and Beyond
With material and component supply stabilized, USA1 is now focused on maximizing production. The company has refined processes, trained a skilled crew, and integrated a new system with its updated website. Stock levels are now linked to the internal manufacturing system, allowing for better inventory management.
USA1 is committed to meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Despite the challenges of the past few years, the company is optimistic about the future and dedicated to growing the Square Body family. The team deeply apologizes for any frustrations experienced during the difficult times and looks forward to moving forward together with the community.