Since 1905, the philosophy of customer satisfaction, service, cost efficiency, and precision has been the cornerstone of Oshkosh Marine Supply. The company was founded by Phillip Knippenberg, who designed and manufactured candlestick and mining lamps for the underground mining industry. In 1912, Oshkosh Metal Products Company purchased the Knippenberg Manufacturing Company and expanded into a brass and aluminum foundry specifically servicing the marine hardware industry. In 1916, a group of businessmen, headed by H.L. Boynton purchased the company and renamed it Oshkosh Marine Supply with incorporation in 1920. The business increased in size and scope to include marine hardware, boats, canoes, engine and automotive accessories, gasoline and oil.

During World War II, Oshkosh Marine Supply produced parts for tanks and ships. In 1986, Jim and Cindy Janes, the current owners purchased the business and took expansion a few steps further with the purchases of the screw machine division of Estran Corp. in 1988 and the Powder Coating division of Harlo Products in 1996. Today Oshkosh Marine Supply has served 13 different markets in 16 states, Mexico and Canada, as well as South America.