Longtime Federated member S&W Supply, based in Hays, Kan., is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
“We want to congratulate everyone at S&W Supply on 80 years of great success,” said Rusty Bishop, CEO of Federated Auto Parts. “S&W Supply has been a valued Federated member for almost 30 years and we want to thank the Bickle family for their commitment to our group. They have been involved leaders since the outset, making Federated the success it is today.”
In recognition of its 80th anniversary, S&W Supply will conduct special racing events at RPM Speedway in Hays this summer as well as offer sales promotions for its customers throughout the year. S&W Supply will wrap up its milestone year by once again organizing a special community-based Toys for Tots drive to provide Christmas presents for less fortunate children.
Established by Claude Sutter and his wife Helen (Bickle) Sutter during the years of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, the original company started out small, selling a limited number of automotive parts. After moving to Hays, the Sutters were joined by Don Wells and his wife Lyle (Bickle) Wells. The current company, S&W Supply, is named for the partnership between the Sutter and Wells families.
In 1954, S&W Supply moved to its current Hays location. In the ensuing years, seven branch retail locations have been added throughout western Kansas. As well as supplying automotive and heavy duty parts, S&W Supply also serves the industrial, agricultural and oilfield markets. In 1966, Warehouse Inc. was formed to serve as a wholesale automotive warehouse for the western Kansas market and in 1985, the company joined forces with Federated. The family-owned business continues to grow with the expansion of its warehouse facility completed in April.
“We are honored to be celebrating the 80th anniversary of S&W Supply,” said Don Bickle Jr., president of S&W Supply. "Our customers have become our friends as well as business associates. We continue to learn from them. To think this company started with one small auto parts store 80 years ago and has grown to where we are today is quite remarkable.”
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