Austin Cutlery & Tool finance leader named to Inc.’s 2026 Growth Agents list

Megan Klag, Finance Director and Controller at Austin Cutlery & Tool in Georgetown, Texas, was named to Inc.’s 2026 Growth Agents list for helping guide the company’s expansion across kitchenware brands and channels. The recognition lands as Austin Cutlery & Tool pushes new retail programs, international growth and a potential move to manufacture knives in Texas.

Why it matters: - Austin Cutlery & Tool is scaling across its three-brand portfolio, and the company needs stronger financial discipline to support that growth. - Klag’s work sits at the center of that effort, linking expansion plans to forecasting, funding and operational capacity. - The recognition highlights the finance role behind a broader push to reduce supply-chain risk and improve flexibility.

What happened: - Inc. named Megan Klag, Finance Director and Controller of Austin Cutlery & Tool, to its 2026 Growth Agents list. - Austin Cutlery & Tool is based in Georgetown, Texas, and is the parent company of premium cutlery brand Cangshan. - Klag was recognized for helping turn growth plans into disciplined, sustainable execution.

The details: - Austin Cutlery & Tool’s portfolio also includes New Star Foodservice and Artaste. - Since 2024, the company’s growth has come from new product categories, new retail programs, international expansion and more business from existing customers. - The company has expanded its relationship with Costco. - Austin Cutlery & Tool has also added its home kitchen products at Costco. - Klag has helped strengthen financial and operational planning to support continued growth. - Her work includes advancing forecasting and financial planning. - Klag has also supported investments in supply-chain relationships and production capabilities. - Austin Cutlery & Tool is planning to manufacture knives at its Georgetown home base. - The proposed expansion is designed to reduce global supply-chain risk and give the company more flexibility to meet demand. - Klag’s role includes translating that plan into a financial model tied to investment needs, funding strategy, cash flow and profitability.

Between the lines: - The recognition points to a broader shift from growth-at-all-costs toward growth with tighter financial controls. - Austin Cutlery & Tool appears to be preparing for a more localized manufacturing footprint while still relying on retail and international expansion. - Finance leadership is becoming more central as the company balances expansion, infrastructure spending and margin pressure.

What's next: - Austin Cutlery & Tool is expected to keep expanding across professional foodservice and home kitchen channels. - The company will continue evaluating the Texas manufacturing plan and the capital required to support it. - Klag’s next challenge will be aligning future growth with cash flow, profitability and production readiness.

The bottom line: - Austin Cutlery & Tool is growing fast, and Megan Klag’s recognition reflects how much that growth now depends on financial execution as much as sales momentum.