When John Burgin founded Louisville, Kentucky-based BK Plumbing Supply  in 2015, he was told more than once that it couldn’t be done. “It was like I was the only idiot out there who wanted to try,” he laughs. “Nobody had opened a new independent plumbing supply house in this market since the 1970s. People thought I was crazy.”

Crazy or not, Burgin did it. And in January 2025, his company celebrated a milestone that few startups in the PHCP space reach: a full decade in business.

BK Plumbing Supply is thriving — and growing. With one location, 10 team members, a design studio and a fiercely loyal customer base, the company has defied expectations. Burgin’s story is proof that independent distribution can not only survive in an era of consolidation but also deliver a much-needed, people-first approach to the industry.

Starting from scratch

Burgin got his start at WinWholesale (now Winsupply), where he spent more than 20 years and learned the wholesale business from the ground up. “I have nothing but fond memories and respect for Winsupply, however, there are advantages to being truly independent” he says. “I believe you should always try your best to retain relationships from the past because life has a way of coming around full circle.”

Eventually, Burgin transitioned into manufacturing sales, purchasing a small rep agency. However, as the effects of the 2008 recession rolled through the market, he realized his true passion remained on the wholesale side. “It was always where my heart was,” he says. “I missed that day-to-day interaction with contractors and customers.”

He started building a business plan for a new supply house — what would eventually become BK Plumbing Supply. “I was lucky that even after a couple of years away, people still remembered me. I had a reputation, and that helped,” he notes.

One of the first hurdles? Getting into a buying group. “My vision was to leverage the relationships made during the 25 years of working in this market and start a new family-owned plumbing supply,” Burgin recalls. “My original team was eager to be a part of the new venture. My customers embraced the idea, too: a hard-working, service-oriented team with a sense of family.” 

Burgin talked to  buying groups about membership, but they told him no.   “They told me, ‘You’re not even open yet. Call us in two or three years,’” he recalls. However, persistence paid off. Ted Havel at Equity Plumbing Group (now IMARK Plumbing) took a meeting and signed BK Plumbing Supply — before the company even opened its doors. “I’ll never forget that” Burgin says. “He took a chance on us, and I’ll always be grateful.” 

Building a culture of care

From the beginning, Burgin set out to create something different: a company grounded in old-school values and modern service. “We wanted to be easy to do business with,” he says. He built the company culture upon this premise, and dismissed the idea of a take-a-number system at the counter. It implied that customers were numbers — and they are so much more to BK Plumbing. 

Instead, BK Plumbing Supply focused on warmth, relationships and responsiveness. “We wanted customers to feel like they were walking into their favorite restaurant, where everybody knows your name,” Burgin says. The philosophy paid off. The company carved out a strong niche serving residential new construction, commercial work, and — most importantly — remodel and repair plumbing contractors. “We love the smaller family owned and operated contractor companies,” Burgin says. “They’re like us — family-owned, hardworking, committed. That’s our core customer.”

As the company matured, it became a true family business. Today, Burgin’s son Jacob serves as counter sales manager, while his daughter Amy Bray leads the company’s design studio, which opened about five years ago. The studio reflects the company’s focus on service and experience. “We didn’t want a big, intimidating showroom. We wanted something boutique: warm, focused and easy to navigate,” John Burgin says. “Amy does a phenomenal job of helping customers feel at home and zeroing in on what they really want. The term “family” extends beyond blood, two of John’s employees have worked with him for over 20 years. He smiles as he states, “we are truly a family.”

With integrated technology, curated product displays and a rustic vibe, the studio balances form and function. The company’s website adds another layer of professionalism. “Even though we’re small, we have a great online presence. And it’s working,” he says.

Like all businesses, BK Plumbing Supply faced an unexpected challenge in 2020 with the arrival of COVID-19. However, where others pulled back, the company leaned in.

Ashley Agnew

“We actually grew 20% in 2020 and another 20% in 2021,” Burgin says. “Our doors were open. We were safe, but we weren’t shutting people out. Competitors wouldn’t let customers come in, even to use the bathroom. We had masks at the door, and we let them in. That mattered.” In a time of uncertainty, BK Plumbing offered familiarity and support. “We were a little more normal in a crazy time,” Burgin says. “And our customers appreciated that.”

For the company, it’s all about easing the customer’s pain points and seeing  them as more than a customer. “Everyone wants to go somewhere where they are made to feel comfortable, like your favorite restaurant or pub,” he notes. 

Chuck Young Jr., in sales at BDA and Associates, a manufacturers’ representative in the PHVAC space, underscores the ease that BK Plumbing and Burgin bring to the industry: “I have known John for more than 20 years; he has many outstanding qualities. However, the three that stand out the most to me are:

“John genuinely cares about his customers. That may sound cliché, but he sincerely wants to help his customers and see them succeed.

“John sincerely cares about the people who work in his company. Over the years, I have seen him help and support his associates during difficult times.

“John is a forward thinker. He is not happy with the status quo. He is always looking at the industry and how to position the company for the future.” 

The strength of independent distributors 

Throughout the interview, Burgin frequently returns to one core theme: the importance of independent distributors in a market increasingly dominated by a few national giants.

“There’s a place for the big guys, sure; they serve a purpose,” he explains. “But too much power concentrated in a few hands? That’s not good for the industry. We’re the equalizers. We’re the ones bringing personalized service, local relationships and flexibility.”

And while getting big-name lines can be a struggle — especially for newcomers — Burgin says playing the long game pays off. “Some lines said no; so, we went and pioneered new ones,” he notes. “We brought in products no one else had. Now those vendors are thrilled we gave them a shot.”

Mike Harrigan, sales director for TOTO, underscores the importance of having the right partnerships. “For more than ten years now, BK Plumbing Supply and John Burgin have  been a valued TOTO customer, and also a model of consistency, professionalism, and respect.”

He adds, “I first worked with John during the Churchill Downs renovation in 2003 and that spirit has been alive and well at BK since day one.  Whether it’s through their dedication to excellence, or their positive impact on other local businesses, BK Plumbing Supply sets a high standard for our business. TOTO is proud to call BK a valued business partner —  more importantly, they are a company that represents the best of Louisville.” 

BK Plumbing Supply is firmly in growth mode. While details are still under wraps, Burgin confirms the company plans to add more locations in the coming years. E-commerce capabilities are also on the roadmap, as is a more deliberate push into social media and digital marketing.

“Free delivery has always been part of our model,” he notes. “We don’t charge extra for fast service. I’ve been doing that for 30 years. But I need to do a better job of telling people about it. That’s a big focus for us moving forward.”

Giving back is part of the culture at BK Plumbing Supply. Burgin is an active Shriner and Freemason. He served for many years as a board member, trustee and vice chairman of the board for” Kosair for Kids”, a 100-year-old children’s charity. He also supports multiple community and industry organizations, including scholarships and continuing education initiatives for tradespeople.

“We’ve been supported by our community, and we want to give back to it,” he says. “That’s the foundation for everything we do.” The company’s strong ties to its Louisville Metro market, including southern Indiana, are a key reason for its longevity. “We’re not going anywhere. This is home. And our customers know that.”

The power of relationships

As a proud member of IMARK, BK Plumbing Supply values the camaraderie and shared insight that comes from connecting with peers.

“When you’re independent, you can feel isolated,” Burgin remarks. “When I was with the larger company, I had access to a whole network. When I started BK, I was in a bubble. IMARK gave us that community back. You go to the meetings, you join the breakout groups, and you walk away with new ideas — and new friends.”

He also appreciates the practical help IMARK provides, including connections for sourcing hard-to-find products and navigating vendor relationships. “It’s more than rebates,” he adds. “It’s relationships. It’s people helping people.”

Havel, now vice president of marketing and supplier relations at IMARK Plumbing, underscores the partnership BK Plumbing has with the buying group. 

“As a recently launched new distributor, I recall the headwinds that BK Plumbing Supply faced in gaining access to supplier product lines,” he says. “John’s tenacity and work ethic, combined with his membership in Equity Plumbing, (now IMARK Plumbing), contributed to BK Plumbing gaining access to several key supplier product lines. Witnessing the level of success that John and his team have achieved over the past 10 years has been inspiring. Congratulations, John!” 

Legacy and longevity

At its core, BK Plumbing Supply is a story about belief: in people, in possibility and in doing business the right way. Burgin smiles as he talks about the impact the company has made in the last decade. “Our contribution to the industry is simple,” he says. “It is love. We love this industry. I have seen many folks come and go  and will never forget those who helped and assisted us along the way. What a great industry to be in. We embrace everyone but  especially small, family businesses like ours.”

When the company first started, a story was published on the tenacity of a newcomer entering the PHCP market. 

“I’ve had people call me after reading that first article 10 years ago, asking, ‘How did you do it?’” Burgin recalls. “They were looking for a sign that they weren’t crazy — that they could do it, too.” To those people, Burgin has a message: “The small guy is alive and well. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. Be patient, play the long game and treat people right. That’s the key.”

One thing that remains constant in this family-owned and operated company is the ease with which customers can find a solution to their challenges. “Some people always try to find a way to say no,” Burgin says. “We are nimble. When you walk into BK Plumbing, the first office door you see is mine. I’m accessible; I’m not in the back somewhere. My son and daughter are here, too. So, our full team can get you a quicker answer to a question, and we are always trying to find a way to say yes.” 

And in an industry where trust is everything, BK Plumbing Supply has proven that relationships still matter, service still matters, and, yes, there’s always room for another.