With 41 years under its name and eight branches open to date, Montgomery Plumbing is a leading wholesaler of plumbing, heating and air conditioning, offering expert advice to customers.
According to Todd DeWald, company president, Montgomery Plumbing is the company's original name. Today, the company trades under - or may be better known as - Bi-Lo Supply, he said.
"(The company) was actually started by an uncle, Paul Schrey, in Montgomery," DeWald said. "Our family acquired the business in 1968."
Montgomery Plumbing is a business open to the public, selling any item that can be found in any homeowners' basement or bathroom: piping, duct work systems, air conditioning, boilers, furnaces, tubs, whirlpools, toilets and faucets, he said.
However, DeWald said the company sells its more technical equipment, like boilers, furnaces and air conditioning, through contractors.
"We're happy to recommend contractors for any jobs people have, and we offer outstanding service and knowledge," he said.
Because of his employees having an extensive background and knowledge in the material sold, and due to its close working relationship with contractors, Montgomery Plumbing does not handle any installations, he added.
"If a homeowner comes to us and tells us about their project, we can recommend and supply them with materials to help with a complete installation," he said.
DeWald said what sets his company apart and gives them a competitive advantage is that they are a smaller company and have hands-on managers.
"We're available to our people immediately," he said. "We believe in servicing our customers, offering outstanding value in not only our products but we offer free delivery, and we have a large inventory to make sure we have what people are looking for."
Like any business in today's market, DeWald said his company sees those challenges, but remains hopeful in its continued customer base.
"Facing this recession we are in, our business is off, as I'm sure many people are that are involved in residential and commercial supplies, but we continue to believe that people will invest in their homes," he said.
DeWald has been president of the business, headquartered in Montoursville, since 1985.
With an interest in business growing up, DeWald said he has been working with the company since the 1970s, having worked with his brother, Chris DeWald, vice president, and father, Richard DeWald, chairman, at Montgomery Plumbing through his high school years and during the summers as a teenager.
The company has about 43 employees, DeWald said, that are well-groomed in the plumbing and heating field.
"The people that we've employed have been with us for more than 30 years," he said, "and they have the background from other jobs, and tend to stick with us."
DeWald envisions a continued growth for his business through new locations and making improvements and additions to its showrooms.
Montgomery Plumbing is located in: Montgomery, Danville, Mill Hall, Hummels Wharf, Montoursville, State College, Mansfield and Altoona. Their Web site is www.bilosupply.com.
