TEXTILES.ORG
In 1986, Gary Grewal had $1,000, a punishing work ethic, some high-quality zippers, and a love of sales and building relationships with his customers. From his one-room apartment in California, he started a business that over time grew into what is now a textile supplier with 5,000 products, 17 employees and a square-footage footprint of 55,000. The company celebrated its 40th anniversary April 11.
American Plastics’ start
After college, Grewal worked at Oakland, Calif.-based company ATA Industries as a systems analyst, later moving up to general manager. There he learned about the textile trade: trim, fabrics, buckles, fasteners and more. When that company needed him to go part-time due to budget cuts, he needed something else to do. He added insurance sales to his résumé and taught a weekly computer programming night class at San Jose University.
Amid his busy schedule, he began exploring the idea of starting his own business. He launched American Plastics and continued to work at his multiple jobs. Although his schedule was hectic, he says that a conversation with an early customer helped him realize how much having his own company mattered to him.
But at some point, something had to give. After his night class one night, he fell asleep at the wheel and swerved into a highway median. That was his literal wake-up call that he needed to dedicate himself to only one business—his.
Growth and philosophy
The company then grew to a mobile trailer in Hayward, Calif., and finally to its current warehouse in Tracy, Calif., about 20 years ago. Its top-selling products are metal fasteners, zippers, webbing, fabric, thread, mesh and cordage, serving the medical, industrial, transportation and military markets. It will hit its 30th anniversary as an Advanced Textiles Association member this year as well.
Grewal’s emphasis on relationships with customers and his worldwide and domestic suppliers is central to his business, and his pride in his business and company is clear. Some of his employees have been with the company for about half of its existence. At American Plastic’s anniversary dinner, though, he credited his team with the company’s success. “It’s the team that makes everything happen, and I’m lucky to have the team that we have today,” he said.