The Story of AC WORKS®: From a Garage Start-Up to Powering Canada

At AC WORKS®, we believe every connection matters. Whether you’re charging an EV, powering a food truck, keeping medical equipment running, or staying comfortable in your RV. Behind our adapters, cords, and custom solutions lies a story of persistence, innovation, and customer-first values.

Humble Beginnings

AC Connectors, operating under the AC WORKS® brand, was founded in 2015 by Kuo-Hsing “Tony” Chen. With a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and nearly two decades of industry experience, Tony launched the company with one mission: to deliver high-quality electrical connection solutions backed by unmatched service.

Like many small business owners, Tony and his wife put everything on the line—investing almost all of their capital from the sale of their family home to fund the company’s start. In those early days, he would personally pick up products, pack them from his apartment garage using his washer and dryer as makeshift tables, and hand packages to UPS drivers on their routes to guarantee same-day shipping.

Building Momentum

By the end of 2016, Tony placed his first order directly with a manufacturer, setting the stage for independence. His persistence quickly paid off. In 2017, AC WORKS® landed its first major retail partnership with The Home Depot (U.S.), relaunched as acworks.com, and grew to 170 SKUs in a new 2,010 sq. ft. warehouse.

Expansion came quickly: a 7,500 sq. ft. warehouse by 2018, 10,200 sq. ft. by 2020, and 17,100 sq. ft. by 2025. Today, AC WORKS® offers nearly 700 SKUs across residential, industrial, marine/RV, generator, EV, and hospital-grade markets, serving customers across North America and beyond.

Partnerships & Innovation

Our growth has been fueled by strong retail partnerships, including HomeDepot.ca, Lowe’s, Digi-Key, and Zoro. These channels have made AC WORKS® products widely accessible while reinforcing customer trust.

At the same time, innovation has remained a cornerstone of our mission. We hold multiple patents, such as the EVY Safety Switch (Taiwan Patent, 2023) and the PDU Outlet Box (U.S. Patent, 2024). Our products meet rigorous UL, CSA, ETL, and TUV standards, ensuring customers receive safe, reliable, and tested solutions.

Customer-First Philosophy

Tony’s hands-on approach remains central to who we are. Whether by phone, email, or online chat, he continues to listen to customer challenges and design solutions that become the backbone of our product line. With more than 98% of orders shipping within 24 hours and strong customer ratings across platforms, AC WORKS® has earned trust in industries ranging from healthcare to construction to everyday households.

Commitment to Sustainability

We believe that powering people should not come at the expense of the planet. That’s why we recycle by-products from our operations, repurpose materials like pallets and wire scraps, and encourage our employees to practice sustainability in daily operations.

Living the American Dream

What started in a small garage with hand-packed orders has grown into a nationwide brand with nearly 700 SKUs, a U.S. trademark, and international recognition. AC WORKS® is proof of what vision, hard work, and customer dedication can achieve.

As founder Tony Chen puts it best:
“AC WORKS® provides power solutions for every need.”

We’re proud of our journey and even more excited about what comes next.