When Bill and Martha Wilkinson opened Wilkinson Supply in April 1965, they didn’t have a big staff, a sprawling warehouse or a fleet of trucks. They had each other, one other employee, six customers, resilience, and a lot of faith. “It was a grassroots start,” recalls Audrey Loder, current president and granddaughter of the founders. “My grandmother used to deliver toilets in the back of her station wagon. That says everything about their work ethic and their willingness to do whatever it took.”

That hands-on, people-first attitude is the thread that runs through the company’s story for 60 years, guiding it from a modest five-person operation into one of the largest plumbing supply houses in the region. Today, Raleigh, North Carolina-based Wilkinson Supply operates five locations across central and eastern North Carolina, four decorative showrooms and a 100,000-square-foot distribution center, with 95 employees serving both trade and retail customers.

Roots in service and ingenuity

Bill Wilkinson, a North Carolina State University engineering graduate, worked for a local supply house before deciding to strike out on his own. He and his wife, Martha, opened the first location by building relationships one handshake at a time. Within a few years, they expanded into Durham and Carrboro — steady, measured growth that kept the company financially sound and culturally intact.

“They approached their new venture with remarkable courage and determination,” Loder says. “My grandfather was intelligent, kind, grounded, and humble. My grandmother was warm yet no-nonsense. Both were incredibly hard-working and committed to making it succeed.”

That customer-first focus carried into the next generation. In 1986, their son Andy Wilkinson became president, ushering in modernization — from implementing the company’s first computer system to traveling abroad in search of new product opportunities. 

One trip to Europe proved pivotal. “He was one of the first people to bring European plumbing fixtures into the United States,” Loder explains. “That decision helped shape our identity. We weren’t just a supply house — we became known for high-end, decorative products.”

In 2017, ownership passed to the third generation: Audrey Loder as president, her brother Drew Wilkinson as vice president, and sister Courtney Wilkinson as director of showrooms. The transition wasn’t just about passing the torch — it was about positioning Wilkinson Supply for the future while honoring its heritage.

Loder, who grew up working summers at the company and has officially been with Wilkinson Supply for more than 20 years, says her road to the presidency was shaped by family values, personal conviction, and rising to meet opportunity. “I wanted to know the business from the inside out. I enjoyed learning new things and making a positive impact” she says. “I worked in different departments – and listened to our people and learned what made us special. That gave me the confidence to lead.”

When she became president in 2017, alongside her siblings stepping into leadership roles, Loder leaned on the expertise of Ken Wertz, who had served as president for more than 16 years. “Ken took me under his wing and taught me the things I would need to be successful in the role,” Loder explains. “Ken was one of my biggest mentors & I owe him a huge debt of gratitude — he was patient with me, showed me the ropes and set a foundation for us to succeed.”

Today, Wilkinson Supply’s footprint includes five branches — Raleigh, Durham, Carrboro, Wilson and Fayetteville — with four decorative kitchen and bath showrooms. Over the past two decades, the showrooms have expanded far beyond plumbing fixtures to include lighting, cabinetry, hardware and premium appliances.

The secret sauce

The company remains deeply committed to serving its core trade customer base by offering robust local inventory and flexible solutions including same-day delivery. “We’re independent, so we can make decisions quickly. That flexibility is a huge advantage,” Loder notes. 

To support that promise, Wilkinson Supply maintains a robust inventory at every branch, ensuring it can respond immediately to customer needs. “We’re able to keep a higher level of inventory at a branch level, which serves our customers well,” Loder says. It’s another example of the company’s flexibility in serving its customers.

The secret sauce also includes staying in tune with its customers’ needs. “We realized our customers wanted a one-stop destination, so we added appliances to our offerings,” she says. “We build relationships with exclusive brands that protect our showroom value. Our merchandising strategy in our showrooms is to showcase unique products in a way that appeals to luxury consumers.”

In addition, the company tries to align with exclusive manufacturers that don’t sell directly to consumers on their websites. “Put that in bold at the top of the article!” Loder exclaims. “We want to partner with manufacturers that understand the importance of brick-and-mortar showrooms with highly trained showroom consultants who possess true expertise.”

She adds that team members are well-trained and skilled in the products the company sells — from the showroom to the city counter. “Our counter team knows their stuff,” she says. “If there is a plumber or DIYer that needs help fitting parts and pieces together, we are a resource to help.” Even as the business has grown and adapted, the values Bill and Martha instilled remain firmly in place. Wilkinson’s official core values are principles the founders lived every day: be compassionate, be customer-centered, be positive and be the example. “Caring about the well-being of others — employees and customers alike — has been central to our success,” Loder says. 

“Wilkinson Supply has been an outstanding partner for nearly 50 years,” notes John Bates, vice president-East of A. O. Smith Corp. “Its unwavering commitment to exceptional service, top-tier products and strong customer relationships truly sets them apart as ‘Best in Class’ among family-owned independent distributors. We are deeply grateful for our long-standing partnership and proudly celebrate this remarkable milestone with the entire Wilkinson team. Congratulations!” 

Company culture in action

One principle stands out above the others for Loder. “Be compassionate is my favorite core value because I believe that caring about the well-being of others is the most important thing you can do when owning a business — hearing from our employees, and hearing from our customers. If you start there, success seems to follow,” she says. 

She adds that the company’s independent structure strengthens that mission: “I believe being a small independent is an advantage to being customer-centered because we have the ability to adapt and be flexible (quickly).” The distributor’s core values also help create the company culture. “I have an open-door policy, so employees and customers are constantly coming into my office just to chat,” she says. “That’s part of our culture: access to the top. We’re right here. There’s no red tape.” With many employees boasting decades of service — 25 team members with more than 20 years each — Wilkinson Supply’s culture is one of loyalty, camaraderie and mutual respect. The longest-serving employee, Mac Turner, recently celebrated 40 years. “Mac is more than just an employee; he’s part of our history,” Loder says with a smile. “We celebrated his anniversary alongside our company’s 60th — it was as much about him as it was about us.”

Wilkinson Supply’s teamwork, industry knowledge and experience drive the success of the company. It invests in professional and personal growth, and encourages growth within the company. “I believe people want to grow and want to be well-trained. Training instills confidence in their ability to service customers. If our people are happy and learning, our customers feel it,” she adds.

“Wilkinson Supply is a first-class organization,” notes Frisco Tshiams, manager of regional sales, mid-Atlantic, Viega. “It is one of the most successful plumbing, valves and fittings distributors in the North Carolina Triangle area, and puts people first. From the owners to the counter staff, Wilkinson supply makes you feel like you’re a respected family member throughout every interaction.

 “As a parent, I would love to have my graduating college student work in such a first-class organization. As a businessperson and Triangle-area resident, I would recommend Wilkinson to any of my co-workers, friends and family members as well.”

Professional development is equally prioritized by supporting the company’s involvement in industry organizations such as the American Supply Association’s Women in Industry, and buying groups such as Forte and Affiliated Distributors (AD). And, as member of AD, Wilkinson Supply dives into the offerings that help it grow: the Decorative Brands division,  and data/content support. “AD has been incredibly welcoming,” Loder says. “It’s a good fit for our company”. 

Celebrating the team is important and is reinforced through regular events, such as Family Fun Day and holiday traditions, where employees receive thoughtful, high-quality gifts.  “We want our people to feel valued and seen. I always say I want to surprise and delight,” exclaims Loder.  This attention to detail and respect for the team is a hallmark of Wilkinson Supply — another way the company’s family-owned spirit shines through and continues to drive it forward.

Philanthropy is also woven into Wilkinson Supply’s operations. The company supports Habitat for Humanity, Hope Renovations, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army and various local initiatives. Loder herself serves on the boards of SouthLight, a nonprofit supporting mental health and substance abuse recovery, and the local Home Builders Association.

“Being part of the community isn’t just good business, it’s who we are,” she says. “We’ve been here 60 years because we care about the same things our neighbors care about.” she adds, “We enjoy being a part of our communities and making an impact within them. It is more important now than ever before.”

Looking ahead

As Wilkinson Supply’s first female president, Loder blends strategic decision-making with a nurturing leadership style. “I have a very mothering approach,” she said. “I want to take care of everyone here. You have to invest in your people, and you also must invest capital to continue to grow. You have to grow to stay relevant.”

The company has its roadmap and vision for the next five years, including  technology investments for efficiency and company engagement, along with organically expanding its footprint and market share in both trade and retail sectors. 

One of the biggest challenges Loder says, is talent recruitment and retention in a competitive labor market. “We’re preparing by strengthening our culture, offering growth opportunities and making sure people see a future here,” she explains.

Wilkinson Supply’s leadership remains committed to steady, intentional growth, and always grounded in the values that made the company successful. “We’re here to serve our communities, offer flexible solutions and be a place where both our customers and employees feel valued,” Loder says. “That’s the legacy we want to protect and grow.”