Founded in March 1950 by Walter Shearer and Howard Rayford the company was originally called Shearer and Rayford and did business as manufacturers sales agents for the commercial construction industry. The company opened its office with one employee above a deli on St. Joseph Street in downtown Mobile, Alabama.

Seeing a need to increase sales and offer additional products, a salesman and another secretary joined the firm in 1952 which necessitated a move into a larger space which was located on St. Louis Street.

As the company continued to grow, property was purchased for the construction of a new building at 2504 Old Shell Road and the company moved in January 1956.

Through the years the need to stock merchandise became evident, which again required more space. In 1967 a building at 2567 Old Shell Road was purchased and remodeled and the company moved to its present location. This move signified the shift of the company from manufacturers sales agents to actual stocking distributors of a full line of commercial hardware including hinges, locks, exit devices, etc.

Seeing a real void in the Gulf Coast residential construction market for the availability of decorative door hardware, bath fixtures, faucets, and cabinet hardware, a showroom for these products was opened in the late 1970's. The building at 2567 Old Shell Road has undergone numerous remodelings through the years as the decorative department has grown.

After Walter Shearer's retirement in 1980, the company's name was changed from Shearer and Rayford to Rayford & Associates, Inc. and Howard Rayford became President and major stockholder. The company also became a stock hollow metal distributor and wood door supplier with facilities for welding and prepping hollow metal doors and frames.

Following the retirement of Howard Rayford in 1986 the leadership of the company passed to his son T. Forress Rayford who presently serves as the President of Rayford & Associates, Inc