J.L. Matthews Co. Inc.

Joe Matthews, a Navy man from Grove City, PA, exceled at bringing ideas to life. Working for the W. M. Bashlin Company (now Bashlin Industries), he managed production and helped invent many products which are still used in the industry today.

The most important was the design and invention of the Shifting or Floating D-Ring Lineman’s Belt. In 1946, Joe Matthews left his production job and moved his family to Fort Worth, TX to start his own business. Starting in a single car garage behind his house, Joe manufactured lineman’s belts, holsters, pole straps and accessories.

Joe’s son, Gary Matthews, joined the growing company in 1962. J.L. Matthews quickly grew as an industry leader in lineman tools and safety equipment. For the next 20 years, the company continued to thrive. Danny Matthews, Joe’s grandson, joined the company in the 1980s and continues to run the company today alongside his wife Jennifer. The duo manages J.L. Matthews as a perfect team – Danny out in the field as the face of the company and Jennifer running the day to day operations.