The Home Depot Pro

The Home Depot Pro

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Wholesale supplier, Maintenance, repair and operations products
Founded	1978 (1978)
Founder	William S. Green
Headquarters	Jacksonville, Florida , United States
Area served	United States, Canada
Key people	Kenneth Sweder (CEO)
Products	HVAC, janitorial equipment, plumbing components, security hardware, MRO products
Parent	The Home Depot

The Home Depot Pro, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, functions as a wholesale supplier and direct marketer specializing in maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products tailored for non-industrial enterprises throughout the United States. Its extensive inventory encompasses HVAC, janitorial equipment, plumbing components, and security hardware.

Established in 1978 under the name Wilmar Industries' by William S. Green, the company experienced significant growth following its 2000 acquisition of Barnett, leading to the creation of Interline Brands.’ Interline broadened its portfolio by acquiring firms such as Sexauer, Trayco, U.S. Lock, Leran Gas Products, Maintenance USA, Hardware Express, along with janitorial distributors like AmSan, Clean Source, and Jan Pak. In 2015, five janitorial brands were merged into the Supply Works brand. On July 22, 2015, The Home Depot purchased Interline Brands for $1.6 billion. By 2018, Interline was rebranded as The Home Depot Pro, with former divisions renamed The Home Depot Pro Multifamily, The Home Depot Pro Specialty Trades, and The Home Depot Pro Institutional.

History

Wilmar Industries

The origins of Interline Brands trace back to Wilmar Supply Company, founded in 1978 as a hardware retailer in Collingswood, New Jersey by William (Bill) Green alongside his father Martin Green. Wilmar transitioned from retail sales to providing MRO products targeting apartment complexes and multi-family residences. The company went public in 1996 and subsequently acquired 14 regional competitors before purchasing the Sexauer Group, a distributor of plumbing products to institutions, in 1999. In May 2000, Wilmar underwent a leveraged buyout to become private again with intentions for further expansion.

In September 2000, Wilmar added Barnett, Inc., a business serving locksmiths, retail hardware outlets, and contractors—complementing Wilmar’s focus on facility maintenance clients—to its portfolio. The merged company adopted the name Interline Brands in June 2001. Their approach prioritized maintaining existing customer relationships while consolidating back-office operations such as accounting and distribution to realize cost efficiencies.

By 2004, Interline had streamlined its distribution network from 76 to 56 centers and inaugurated a 319,000 square foot national distribution facility in Nashville, Tennessee, improving inventory control and delivery capabilities. Interline returned to the public market on the NYSE under the ticker IBI in late 2004 but was taken private again after being delisted in September 2012.

Acquisitions and rebranding

To fuel growth, Interline acquired multiple cleaning supply distributors. In May 2006, it purchased American Sanitary (AmSan) for $127.5 million; AmSan’s product line Renown includes essentials such as toilet paper, paper towels, brooms, and cleaning chemicals. Throughout the 1990s, AmSan expanded by acquiring 44 independent janitorial and sanitary distributors including AmSan Eve, AmSan Vonachen-Elton, AmSan Nogg Chemical & Paper, and AmSan West. Michael Mulhern became CEO of AmSan in 2002 and relocated its headquarters from Raleigh to Chicago while implementing operational reforms that replaced 40% of senior management and reduced overheads to enhance profitability. By 2005, AmSan reported revenues of $300 million. That year American Capital invested $25 million during AmSan’s recapitalization phase. Notably excluded from Interline's acquisition was AmSan West. By 2008, AmSan had extended its sales and distribution footprint to cities including Columbus, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Nashville. A showroom and walk-in store opened in Fort Myers, Florida in 2009.

In October 2010, Interline acquired CleanSource—a regional distributor established in San Jose, California in 1956—for $60.1 million. CleanSource catered to healthcare, education, and institutional customers with janitorial supplies, food service products, and MRO items generating approximately $115 million in sales during 2010.

Interline further expanded by acquiring JanPak for $82 million in 2012. Founded in Bluefield, West Virginia in 1945 by James Shott and partners—and known as Paper Supply Company until rebranding in 2000—JanPak consolidated its regional branches under one brand for operational efficiency at acquisition time with Mike Shott serving as board chair.

On March 16, 2015, Interline unified AmSan, CleanSource, JanPak, Trayco, and Sexauer into a single national brand named SupplyWorks. Concurrently it divested AF Lighting to Almo Corporation since lighting was a minor segment within its portfolio.

Acquisition by The Home Depot and subsequent rebranding

In July 2015 The Home Depot acquired Interline Brands for $1.6 billion from P2 Capital Partners (Goldman Sachs’ private equity division) along with Interline management stakeholders. This deal enabled The Home Depot to penetrate multi-family housing, hospitality services, and industrial markets more deeply. CEO Craig Menear emphasized the growth potential within the maintenance, repair and operations sector—a market where The Home Depot previously had limited exposure. Michael Grebe retired as CEO in January 2016 with Kenneth Sweder succeeding him. By 2017 Interline Brands was rebranded as The Home Depot Pro; Wilmar Industries became The Home Depot Pro Multifamily; Barnett was renamed The Home Depot Pro Specialty Trades; SupplyWorks transitioned to The Home Depot Pro Institutional; while U.S. Lock retained its original brand name.

Operations

The enterprise maintains 30 showrooms throughout North America supported by a network of 70 distribution centers stocking over 30,000 products across brands such as Wilmar, Barnett, SupplyWorks, Hardware Express, Maintenance USA, U.S. Lock, and Copperfield. Its clientele includes facilities maintenance providers servicing multi-family residences; educational institutions; lodging; healthcare facilities; government properties; building service contractors; professional contractors within residential and non-industrial sectors; along with specialty distributors like plumbing and hardware retailers.

Plumbing products represent nearly half of Interline’s sales volume with additional offerings spanning electrical supplies, HVAC, security hardware components, and janitorial materials. The company focuses on delivering premium-quality products at competitive prices supported by same-day or next-day delivery under the slogan "Get It Right. Get It Now." Sales are conducted via national and field account representatives; telephone orders; direct marketing through catalogs and flyers; "pro centers"; vendor-managed inventory programs; plus online platforms. Most distribution centers include customer service counters favored by Barnett’s customers. In regions without distribution centers but exhibiting strong demand levels, Interline acquires local supply houses which are converted into "pro centers"—contractor-oriented showrooms stocking high-turnover items.

Next-day deliveries are handled either through Interline’s own fleet or third-party carriers such as UPS and Saia for more distant locations. Will-call pickup is available at most facilities.

Interline’s eight distinct brands support contractors; specialty distributors; housing maintenance teams; and janitorial markets with inventory stocked across U.S. and Canadian distribution hubs plus showrooms.

International Presence

Canada

Within Ontario, Interline operates a distribution center located in Mississauga under both Barnett and Sexauer brands. Sexauer also maintained distribution centers situated in Edmonton and Toronto.

The Home Depot Pro Multifamily

The Home Depot Pro Multifamily traces its roots back to Wilmar Supply Company founded in 1978 by William and Martin Green as a hardware store based in Collingswood, New Jersey. Wilmar expanded its focus toward selling MRO supplies specifically targeted at apartment complexes and multi-family housing developments. William Green assumed CEO responsibilities in 1986 acquiring Martin’s ownership stake by 1993. Revenues surged from $24.52 million in that year to $100.64 million by 1997 following acquisitions including The Pier-Angeli Group, Lindley Plumbing, and Management Supply Company aimed at consolidating fragmented markets.

Wilmar went public on January 24th, 1996 (NASDAQ:WLMR), raising over $47 million through its initial offering. In December of 1999 Wilmar acquired Sexauer along with Trayco for $85 million to expand into institutional facilities such as lodging markets while also purchasing Ace Maintenance Mart USA that year.

In May of 2000 Wilmar transitioned back into private ownership through investments from Parthenon Capital Partners LP alongside JPMorgan Chase Bank acting as trustee for First Plaza Group Trust (a General Motors Pension Fund), Sterling Investment Partners LLC., BancBoston Capital Corporation., Svoboda Capital Partners LLC., all while William Green remained CEO based out of Moorestown New Jersey. Wilmar then acquired Barnett Inc., paying $214 million during that year before merging operations under the new name Interline Brands by mid-2001.

Michael J. Grebe succeeded William Green as CEO starting January 2002 until his retirement on January 1st of 2016 overseeing integration efforts post-Barnett acquisition aimed at streamlining distribution logistics throughout Interline Brands whose logo maintains Wilmar’s original red-black-white color scheme.

Maintenance USA

Founded originally as Ace Maintenance Mart USA in San Diego California during 1974 Maintenance USA offers cost-effective MRO supplies solutions after being acquired by Wilmar Industries during their expansion phase in late-1999.

Sexauer

Established in Scarsdale New York during 1921 by James A Sexauer J.A Sexauer Manufacturing Company specialized initially on plumbing parts repair alongside distribution services before being purchased by Wilmar Industries along with its Canadian subsidiary Sexauer Ltd (Toronto) for $85 million during late-1999 forming part of what became known as Sexauer Group together with Trayco prior to merging into Interline Brands following the Barnett acquisition circa-2000. By around-2010 Sexauer expanded product offerings incorporating brands such as Kohler. Currently it forms part of SupplyWorks which later evolved into The Home Depot Pro Institutional division.

Trayco

Founded during early-1993 based out of Florence South Carolina Trayco distributes plumbing supplies alongside light fixtures plus maintenance parts catering primarily wholesale retailers plus housing units now integrated into SupplyWorks operations.

U.S. Lock

U.S Lock provides an extensive selection of security locks including but not limited to padlocks plus various door handle options operating five national distribution centers located respectively at Brentwood (New York), San Bernardino (California), Louisville (Kentucky), Charlotte (North Carolina), Jacksonville (Florida). Originally created as Lawrence Locksmith Supply Corporation back in Rockville Centre New York during mid-1974 it was acquired by Waxman Industries during late-1988 subsequently renamed U.S Lock before being purchased by Barnett Inc for $33 million during late-1998 remaining the only legacy former Interline brand retaining its identity after acquisition by The Home Depot.

The Home Depot Pro Specialty Trades

The Home Depot Pro Specialty Trades traces back to Barnett Tube Fitting and Valve Company founded by Leonard Barnett family during mid-1958 supplying copper tubing primarily through catalog sales channels before renaming itself Barnett Brass & Copper during early-1972 following acquisition by Waxman Industries for $12.5 million gaining access into mail order markets later forming Barnett Inc circa-1993 reaching sales milestones around $100 million by mid-1995.

Barnett went public via IPO during April-1996 acquiring Leran Gas Products from Waxman Industries subsequently Forbes ranked it among top small companies nationally (#60) during mid-1997 adding approximately 38 thousand new customers through marketing campaigns promoting roughly eighteen hundred products later acquiring U.S Lock from Waxman for $33 million during late-1998 relocating headquarters into Jacksonville’s LaVilla neighborhood.

Waxman Industries initially holding significant stake (~44%) divested all shares by end-2000 leading to acquisition by Wilmar Industries paying $214 million driven largely due to operational synergies realized between entities.

Leran Gas Products

Established in 1968, Leran Gas Products serves as a B2B distributor specializing in propane gas products within the U.S. liquefied petroleum gas sector. It stands as the sole nationwide distributor for propane-related items, including brands such as Noritz, Tracpipe, and Marshall Excelsior. In 1997, Barnett completed the acquisition of Leran Gas Products.

Hardware Express

Hardware Express caters to hardware retailers and wholesalers by prioritizing swift response times and daily delivery of fast-moving merchandise. Its extensive inventory is accessible through a catalog featuring 17,000 products, direct mail campaigns, inside sales teams, and online ordering. As a Barnett acquisition, Hardware Express functions under the umbrella of Interline Brands.

The Home Depot Pro Institutional

The Home Depot Pro Institutional evolved from Interline Brands' SupplyWorks division, which was created by consolidating five previously acquired brands into a single cohesive entity to facilitate accelerated growth. Chief Operating Officer Kenneth Sweder emphasized SupplyWorks' pivotal role in securing market share within the fragmented institutional facilities maintenance industry. With annual revenues reaching $850 million, SupplyWorks contributes approximately half of Interline Brands' total income. The brand name underscores its commitment to providing essential supplies that support client operations.

SupplyWorks delivers an array of janitorial products, sanitary supplies, packaging materials, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) goods, as well as disposable food packaging sourced from over 3,000 brand partners like Georgia-Pacific, Dart Container, 3M, Diversey, Kimberly-Clark, and Spartan. Beyond janitorial offerings, it also distributes corrugated packaging and MRO components. Customers may place orders either through online portals or by engaging with sales representatives. Following The Home Depot's acquisition of Interline Brands, SupplyWorks was rebranded as The Home Depot Pro Institutional in 2019.

Operations

SupplyWorks maintains a network of more than 68 distribution centers throughout the United States and operates a delivery fleet comprising 100 vehicles. Next-day delivery is primarily managed by SupplyWorks' own trucks; however, third-party carriers such as UPS serve clients located outside these zones. Additionally, many facilities provide will-call or pickup services. The company’s principal customer segments include property management firms, contractors, healthcare providers, and educational institutions.

Marketing

After uniting JanPak, CleanSource, Trayco, AmSan, and Sexauer under the SupplyWorks brand umbrella, the company adopted a consolidated marketing approach aimed at boosting revenue and broadening its customer reach. The brand's launch event at EverBank Field featured a promotional video accompanied by fireworks to highlight CEO Michael Grebe's philosophy that "it's easier to grow one brand instead of five." SupplyWorks also enhances its visibility through scoreboard advertisements during Jacksonville Jaguars games. This integrated branding strategy facilitates national growth within the commercial building supply market. The AmSan private-label product Renown continues to be distributed through SupplyWorks under Interline Brands.

To assist customers further, SupplyWorks offers a website and mobile app equipped with features such as favorites lists, personalized catalogs, and bin label generation.

Exclusive Products

Interline Brands offers a variety of proprietary product lines through its Wilmar, Barnett, Maintenance USA, Hardware Express, US Lock, and SupplyWorks divisions, including:

• Anvil Mark – Hardware for doors
• Appeal – Paper towels and toilet tissue
• Bala – Ceiling fans
• Designer's Touch – Window coverings
• DuraPro – Bathroom hardware
• Garrison – HVAC systems
• Legend – Door handles
• Legend Force – Safety equipment
• Monument – Ventilation and exhaust fans
• Premier – Plumbing materials
• Preferred Industries – AC power connectors and outlets
• PremierPlus – Bathroom fixtures, piping, and plumbing components
• ProPlus – Bathroom hardware
• Sentinel – Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Yukon

Renown

Renown represents Interline Brands' in-house cleaning and janitorial product range, acquired through the 2006 AmSan acquisition. This line encompasses items such as trash liners, paper towels, toilet tissue, cleaning chemicals, rubber gloves, and mops. Presently, Renown products are distributed under the SupplyWorks name.

References

Wilmar Industries transitioned its corporate name from Wilmar Industries Inc to Interline Brands Inc https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1250189/000095014203001142/forms-4.txt