Portland Bolt’s History

In 2012, Portland Bolt and Manufacturing Company celebrated its 100th anniversary. From its humble beginning in a 6,000 square foot livery stable in 1912, Portland Bolt has grown to become one of the leading anchor bolt and nonstandard construction fastener manufacturers in North America.

Portland Bolt was founded by JM Llewellyn in July of 1912, and by 1916, the 15-employee company was producing annual sales of $100,000. In the early years, products manufactured by Portland Bolt included bolts, rivets, pole pins, washers, dies, and tools for machine shops. Portland Bolt was manufacturing products for the shipbuilding industry, telegraph companies, and railroads and shipping as far north as the Canadian border, as far south as San Francisco, and as far east as Montana.

By the mid-1920s Portland Bolt had moved to a larger manufacturing facility on Northwest 14th and Lovejoy Street in Portland and had added a hot-dip galvanizing line. Portland Bolt operated out of this facility until 1974, when the Llewellyn family sold the business to Melvin Peters and Morris Galen. Their intention was to fulfill the company’s obligations and then liquidate the assets. While operating the facility, they realized that the company had more potential as a viable entity than liquidation offered. They sold off the galvanizing line and moved the facility to Northwest 12th and Johnson Street.

In 1988, the company was purchased by David Ederer and Brian Sonnenberg, then President, and in 1992 was moved an 85,000 square foot facility at Northwest 35th and Guam Street. A small hot-dip galvanizing line specifically designed for threaded fasteners was added in 1994, bringing the company’s focus as a bolt manufacturer and hot-dip galvanizer full circle.

The 1995 acquisition of Seattle-based Northwest Bolt & Nut Company expanded Portland Bolt’s manufacturing capabilities and marketing reach. Since then, all manufacturing processes have been centralized to the current location in Portland.

During 2005, the company’s management and ownership changed to what it is today. Jonathan Todd took over day-to-day operations and became an owner, while Brian Sonnenberg retired after 35 years in the steel industry but remained as Chairman of the Board.

In 2009, Portland Bolt replaced the original hot-dip galvanizing line with a larger galvanizing line designed specifically for threaded fasteners, and in 2019, Portland Bolt added 9,000 square feet in the northwest corner of the facility to provide additional raw material storage and allow steel delivery trucks to pull all the way through the building.

In 2022 Portland Bolt partnered with Endeavor Capital to prepare for market growth in addition to positioning ourselves for strategic partnerships within our industry.

In 2024 Portland Bolt acquired Southern Anchor Bolt. This gives us a location on the East Coast and the partnership will allow us to reach 100% of the US customers within 2 business days. 

Portland Bolt currently operates out of two locations. A modern 137,0000 square foot manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon that includes a state-of-the-art hot-dip galvanizing line. Our location in South Carolina produces anchor bolts and has a hot-dip galvanizing line. Products manufactured include hex and square head bolts, anchor rods, bent anchor bolts, U-bolts, eye bolts, square plates, tie rod assemblies, and numerous varieties of specialty fasteners. 

In 2023, Portland Bolt manufactured and shipped over 7.1 million pounds of anchor bolts and construction fasteners to customers in all 50 states, 12 Canadian provinces and territories, and 28 different countries. Current markets include power and energy, marine construction, steel fabrication, mining, pole line, light rail, and highway construction.

To this day, Portland Bolt continues to invest in equipment, technology, and the best people necessary to serve you. We are a team committed to providing the highest quality products that will exceed your expectations.