Photo by Korri Kezar
In 2005, Joey Sanchez joined 4wd Factory after spending more than five years as a master technician at General Motors. A lifelong fan of off-roading and vehicle suspension, Sanchez said he fell in love with working at the wholesale parts company.
"Off-roading and camping and outdoor lifestyles are something I've always been into," he said.
4wd Factory sells specialized parts including axle upgrades, tires, winches and other accessories to convert cars and trucks into four-wheel drive and all-terrain vehicles. While 90 percent of its sales are done online, the company also sells parts to local shops at wholesale prices and to individual customers who are looking to build or modify their vehicles themselves.
The company was founded in 2001. In January 4wd factory bought out Krawltex, a fabrication shop, and relocated the business to CR 123 in Round Rock. However, owning Krawltex sparked controversy among some of 4wd Factory's corporate clients, who now viewed 4wd Factory as a competing business. Sanchez decided to drop the custom fabrication part of the business and bought out all of 4wd Factory in May.
