News

Top names in plumbing, dedication to service keys to Carolina Supply's success

Plumbing and heating supply wholesaler providing service for 15 years and counting

     Quality heating and plumbing supplies and a commitment to service epitomize the philosophy of Carolina Supply, Inc., under the leadership of President Doug Shoffner.
     Carolina Supply is a plumbing and heating supply wholesaler and retailer that deals primarily with plumbing and building contractors. The company provides a full range of supplies for commercial, industrial and residential; from bathtubs and showers to stainless steel sinks, from pipes to water heaters.
     The cornerstone of Carolina Supply is service. "We treat everyone the way we want to be treated: Fair, above-board and ethical," Shoffner says. "That's the backbone of this business."
     The service-first attitude combined with the top names in plumbing products such as Kohler, Delta Faucets, Aqua Glass, Moen Faucets, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry and more set Carolina Supply apart from the crowd.
     "We have always strived to have a thorough inventory," Shoffner says, "and if we don't have it now, we are determined to get it as quickly as possible."
     In 1984, Doug Shoffner and his partner, John Hall, along with two employees, opened the door to their plumbing supply warehouse on Webb Avenue in Burlington.
     Two short years later, in the summer of '86, Shoffner bought out his partner and by 1991 the company had outgrown its Webb Avenue warehouse and had to move to the present South Mebane Street location. Here, Carolina Supply opened a 28,000 square foot warehouse and showroom.
     Over the next five years, the company doubled its business.
     Along with their impressive inventory comes the even more impressive showroom. The 3,200 square foot showroom is one of the largest and most modern around. It was completed in 1992 and Shoffner believes it was one of their best moves to date. Plans are set for the year 2000 to completely remodel and upgrade the showroom. This new state-of-the-art showroom will feature many new working displays of showers and whirlpool tubs by name brand manufacturers like Kohler, Delta, Aqua Glass, Moen, and Grohe.
     Carolina Supply is a Kohler registered showroom, which means they had to meet very strict size requirements and display placements. Acquiring the Kohler line took Shoffner three years.
     Since the company opened its doors it has been continually expanding its market. Its immediate market area is Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Guilford, Durham, Orange, Randolph, and Rockingham counties. Carolina Supply also has a second location in Asheboro, opened in June 1995.
    Carolina Supply also believes in lending a hand in the community. The company has been involved in numerous Habitat for Humanity projects. This year alone Carolina Supply has donated plumbing supplies to five projects, including the Siloam Missionary Homes in Snow Camp and a missionary parsonage in West Virginia.
     Shoffner began his career in plumbing in 1967 as a driver for Tomlinson Co., on Webb Avenue, where it was just he and the manager. From there he went to work with a contractor in the field where he learned much of what he knows about plumbing today. After he went into the sales and management with Standard Supply, he went to the sales end of plumbing with Ferguson Enterprises, and finally, Carolina Supply.
     Carolina Supply continues to be committed to providing its customers with all of its plumbing and heating needs.
     Doug Shoffner emphasized the importance of taking care of his customers by saying, "We don't just sell you pipes and sinks ... we are your plumbing partner."

Reprinted From
Alamance Business Report 1999