MKS expands solid growth

 

BY MORRIS R. BESCHLOSS

PVF and economic analyst

 

We take great pride in announcing the entry of Missouri-Kansas Supply into The Wholesaler’s PVF Hall of Fame. Although Missouri-Kansas Supply announced a name change to MKS Pipe-Valve-Fittings Company several years ago, this outstanding Kansas-based PVF distributor has provided more of the same values that have made this close-knit family distributor one of the finest in America’s solidly productive Central States area. Despite the current recession, MKS has maintained consistent growth, stability, and an optimistic outlook.

 

It is also the reason why the choice of MKS into The Wholesaler’s PVF Hall of Fame has proven to be an obvious one. Under the leadership of CEO Pat Adams, who is also chairman of the Industrial Piping Division, MKS has not only achieved a superior reputation in its marketing area, but is considered among the best in America’s PVF distributorship fraternity.

 

By all estimates as to what constitutes an outstanding PVF distributor, Missouri-Kansas Supply Co. Inc. represents the best in independent PVF distribution in the heart of the Midwest. Its history reflects the evolution that many of today’s top PVF distributors have experienced. MKS has been highly respected for fulfilling all significant distributor functions by suppliers and customers alike. According to Adams, this achievement has been at the core of MKS’s success, and will continue to be its driving force in the future.

 

Its history is similar to that of other successful entrepreneurially driven PVF distributors. In 1945, E. R. Hendricks, owner of Brookside Plumbing and Heating, decided to form a small supply company to complement his contracting company. The company’s name was Missouri-Kansas Supply Company. At its inception this branch functioned as the supply arm of Brookside Plumbing and Heating which was located at a south Kansas City area, now know as the Plaza. E.R. Hendricks hired two top salespeople, one in plumbing and one in industrial PVF. Missouri-Kansas Supply supplied plumbers, pipe fitters and industrial and commercial markets, selling only wholesale to licensed tradesmen. In 1946 Missouri-Kansas Supply was incorporated and moved to its present location.

 

In 1958 Hendricks retired, selling the company to four employees, two salesmen, the warehouse manager and the office manager. The business continued to grow into the 1960s. However, the landscape sales strategy was changing. The plumbing supply business was becoming more crowded every year with minimum roi. In those days many supply houses sold both plumbing and PVF. By 1972 it became obvious that with a single location the feasibility of competing in both markets was not reasonable and more ownership changes were on the horizon. Three of the four second generation owners were retiring and each sold to a new person. Consolidation of ownership came within one year as W. J. Kelly and F. L. Lavery, having been with the company for several years, became the president and vice president and co-owners.

The year 1975 seemed to be a turning point. Around this time the plumbing and PVF markets were in major turmoil and Missouri-Kansas Supply Co. Inc. had a choice to make. The decision was made to liquidate all plumbing items and stock PVF exclusively. A job much easier said than done.

 

Missouri-Kansas Supply sold and continues to sell to most major mechanical contractors, plant maintenance personnel, institutional maintenance departments and oems. It took nearly 10 years to convince the company’s customers that they were in the PVF business exclusively.

 

In 1984 another change occurred. W.J. Kelly, president and co-owner, passed away and F.L. Lavery, vice president, became the sole owner. The year 1985 brought additional changes, as two salesmen, Pat Adams and Bruce McKeon, purchased stock in the company. The ownership now consisted of F.L. Lavery, president and treasurer, Pat Adams, vice president and Bruce McKeon, secretary. Their business grew and for the next 11 years product lines were added and the number of employees steadily increased.

 

In 1996, Lavery retired and Adams and McKeon, the remaining stock holders, purchased the balance of shares. President-treasurer Adams and vice president-secretary McKeon became and are currently co-owners of Missouri-Kansas Supply Co. Inc.

 

Dramatic changes have taken place since that ownership change. The computer system has been upgraded on a continuous basis to afford the company top technology advances. Operations have been re-focused and departmentalized with managers in all key areas. The main location has been totally revamped to a modern updated facility including an enclosed pipe yard with new pipe racks, two warehouse buildings with new shelving for easier access and an automation shop. Employee morale, attitude and commitment are at their highest levels ever.

 

MKS has involved itself in industry citizenship to the ultimate degree — realizing that the welfare of the phcp industry eventually rebounds to the benefit of all its participants. That is an additional reason why MKS has become a worthy entrant in the distributor sector of The Wholesaler’s PVF Hall of Fame.