A-1 Products Celebrates 50 Years With TCATA

(July, 2024) A-1 Products, based in Birmingham, Alabama, was founded in 1961. Charles F. Atwater Sr. and his wife, Lillian, decided to take a chance and start selling buttons and other sewing supplies to laundries and dry cleaners. They operated out of their home on the south side of Birmingham, AL. After their success, they bought a small warehouse on the west side. Soon they expanded their operation to sell hangers and chemicals.

By the 1970’s, A-1 Products Inc. had become a full line distributor to the laundry and dry cleaning industry representing most of the well-known manufacturers throughout the country. Also, during this time, Charles F. Atwater Jr. and his wife, Sandy, began working in the operation.

In 1979, Charles and Sandy bought the company. By this time, A-1 was selling in most of Alabama. They expanded the footprint to part of Mississippi and the panhandle of Florida. In 1984, they purchased land and built a warehouse that continues to be the base of the operation.

In 1990, their son, Alex Atwater joined the A-1 Products team. He became the general manager, and A-1 continued to survive as many of their competitors either sold or went out of business. A-1 broadened their product lines to serve commercial laundries including hospitals and uniform rental companies.

In 1999 at the age of 62, Charles F. Atwater Jr. decided to retire. Alex Atwater became the President of the company.

In October 2008, A-1 Products acquired Morris & Eckels in Atlanta, GA to expand its footprint even more. Their warehouse in Marietta services most of Georgia, East Tennessee and parts of South Carolina, giving the company a presence in most of the Southeast.

After three generations, the goal of A-1 Products remains the same. Have the best service and most knowledgeable people in the industry to be an asset to their customers as well as the vendors they represent.

Join us in congratulating A-1 Products on their 50^th anniversary with TCATA.