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Utah-based third generation Standard Plumbing Supply celebrates 70th anniversary.
In 1952 when Dale Reese founded Standard Plumbing Supply out of Ogden, Utah, he slept in the warehouse until he was able to afford rent - $30 per month at the time.
Today, the average cost of rent in Utah hovers around $1,300. Much like the catapult in rental prices, over the past 70 years Standard Plumbing Supply has skyrocketed from a one-man, one location show to a distribution powerhouse serving nine western states via its 110 locations.
Since 1992, Dale Reese's son, Richard Reese has served as the company's president. Today, three Reese brothers are preparing to take over the company as the third generation - Jacob Reese, who handles all things sales, marketing and operations, Daniel Reese, a recent BYU accounting graduate who focuses on the financial side, and Benjamin Reese, another recent university graduate who takes care of new stores, showrooms and remodels.
Another integral part of the Standard leadership is Dave Freeman, a plumbing distribution veteran who worked for Hajoca and Stapley Wholesale beforejoining the Standard PlumbingSupply in the 1990s. Richard Reese calls Freeman his "guardian angel."
"Dave has been instrumental over the decades in the opening of new locations," he says. "He was a road warrior for us and a true gentleman that our customers know and love. He invented our annual buying show which is a trememdous hit each year, bringing in 175 vendors and more than 3,000 contractor customers in 2021."
Freeman has retired and now works part time at tackling expansion of new product sectors and accessories.
Standard Plumbing Supply was first featured in Supply House Times in 1975 as the Wholesaler of the Year. At that time, the company had just over 100 employees, seven locations and was just beginning a modest showroom operation. In 2022, Standard has more than 1,000 employees and operates 51 showrooms. I n addition to Standard Plumbing Supply, the company owns and operates Standard Air Supply, Sprinkler World and Standard Logistics - a newly launched internal truckingdivision that carries inventory from branch to branch.
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