History of Horton Automatics

Horton has been designing, manufacturing, and selling automatic and manual doors since 1960, when it developed the first automatic sliding door sold in America. Horton provides engineered access solutions for people-oriented environments. Through an intense focus on delivered quality, a broad and customizable product portfolio, innovative applications and best local installation and service, we enhance the safety, security, convenience and style of commercial, institutional and transit facilities.

Horton was founded by Lew Hewitt and Dee Horton in the mid 1950’s when they realized that swing doors had difficulty operating in windy Corpus Christi, Texas. With that Lew and Dee set out to invent the automatic sliding door to circumvent the windy conditions and forever revolutionized pedestrian accesses for years to come!

Horton is a division of Overhead Door Corporation. Overhead Door invented the first upward-acting door in 1921 and the first electric door opener in 1926. Today, Overhead Door continues to be the industry leader through the strength of their product innovation, superior craftsmanship and outstanding customer support.

Sanwa Holdings is the parent company of Overhead Door. Established in 1956 as a shutter manufacturer, Sanwa pioneered the engineering, production, marketing and distribution of steel building materials throughout the Pacific Rim. Today, Sanwa is the number one manufacturer of construction products in Japan and has leveraged its brand equity to become the recognized industry leader worldwide.