Harbor Freight is privately owned, and the owner is Eric Smidt. He and his father, Allan Smidt, started the company in 1977, and Eric later became the sole owner.

Quick Scoop

Eric Smidt is the person most commonly identified as the owner of Harbor Freight today. The company’s own bio says, “Eric Smidt is the owner and CEO of Harbor Freight”.

A little context

  • Founded in 1977 in Southern California by Eric and Allan Smidt.
  • Eric Smidt later took full ownership.
  • Harbor Freight is not publicly traded, so it does not have public shareholders.

If you want, I can also give you a 1-paragraph history of how Harbor Freight grew into a major tool retailer.