In 1942 Frank Klaus and Kenneth Reiner started K&R Manufacturing in a garage in Los Angeles, CA. The following year, they received a patent for the first lightweight self-locking nut.

During the 1950’s K&R Manufacturing moved from Los Angeles to Pico Rivera, CA where they continued to manufacture nuts for the aerospace industry and began to be known as “Kaynar” after the two founders: “K&R.” They next moved to Fullerton, CA where they manufactured internally threaded nuts and gang channel.

The following two decades were marked by continued growth and acquisition. After the partners sold Kaynar in the late 1960’s, Mr. Klaus in 1972 purchased Cold Forming Company in Fullerton, CA to make externally threaded bolts. Three years later he purchased Bristol Socket Screw in Waterbury, CT and promptly moved the facility to Fullerton, CA.

In 1978 Bristol moved to the current Brea, CA location to manufacture airframe nuts and gang channel products for McDonnell Douglas on the F15 and F18 fighter programs. Subsequently Bristol manufactured airframe nuts for the C-17, DC-9, DC-10, KC-10, MD-11, MD-80 series and the MD-95 program. Soon after, this product line was expanded into Boeing Commercial for use on the 727, 737, 747, 757 and 767 programs, as well as manufacturing fasteners for Airbus, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, Snecma, Bombardier, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Leonardo, and other major Airframe and Engine primes and subcontractors.

Bristol Industries joined the Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing (CAM) group of companies in 2014. Today, Bristol continues unequalled growth and success as a world leader of internally threaded nuts and gang channel.