A Passion for Craftsmanship. A Vision for Value. An American Success Story.

Grizzly Industrial began with a simple idea:
Make high‑quality woodworking and metalworking machinery accessible to everyone — professionals, hobbyists, and dreamers alike.

That idea started with one man: Shiraz Balolia, founder of Grizzly Industrial.

From Kenya to North America: The Spark That Started It All

Shiraz Balolia grew up in Mombasa, Kenya, where he developed an early fascination with how things worked. After moving to North America in search of opportunity, he stumbled into the world of machinery in an unexpected place — a shooting range. There, he saw a metal lathe for the first time. That moment changed everything.

Captivated, he started buying and reselling used machines. His love for the craft quickly grew into something more: a vision to bring well‑made machinery to customers at prices they could afford.

A Business Built One Machine at a Time

Shiraz’s early business was as humble as it gets:

• He worked out of a tiny space behind a barber shop
• Personally delivered equipment in an old VW van
• Handled every role himself — tech support, accounting, customer service, even sweeping the floor

When one supplier cut him off for offering lower prices than competitors, he didn’t quit —
he innovated. Shiraz began importing machines directly from factories in Taiwan, allowing him to eliminate middlemen and offer unbeatable value without sacrificing quality.

The Founding of Grizzly Industrial (1983)

In 1983, he officially founded Grizzly Industrial — a company built on honesty, craftsmanship, and a customer‑first philosophy. With unwavering dedication, Shiraz expanded the business from a one‑man operation into a nationwide brand.

What started as a dream grew into:

• Multiple large‑scale warehouses across the U.S.
• A highly skilled technical support team
• A massive catalog of woodworking and metalworking tools
• One of the strongest e‑commerce platforms in the industry

Today, Grizzly Industrial proudly serves over three million customers, ranging from small garage shops to large industrial facilities.

A Commitment to Quality and the Customer

Grizzly became known not only for its extensive selection of tools, but also for:

• Exceptional customer service
• Knowledgeable technical support staff
• Fast, reliable delivery
• Unbeatable value for the quality offered

Shiraz credits the company’s success to a simple formula:
hard work, continuous improvement, long‑lasting global partnerships, and always putting customers first.

Want the Full Story? Read the Autobiography

Shiraz Balolia’s incredible life journey — from Kenya to building one of America’s most trusted machinery brands — is told in his autobiography:

A Bad Case of Capitalism

It’s an inspiring read for:

• Entrepreneurs
• Woodworkers
• Metalworkers
• Fans of Grizzly Industrial
• Anyone who enjoys a true American dream story

You can find it on Grizzly.com:
👉 ORDER YOUR BOOK HERE!