What Dave Carter & Associates does

Dave Carter & Associates is a wholesale distributor of building materials, electrical products, and plumbing supplies serving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and construction firms across North America. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Ocala, Florida, the company operates 11 distribution centers across the United States and Canada, positioning inventory within reach of approximately 39 million people. Its customer base spans recreational vehicle manufacturers, modular and manufactured housing producers, commercial construction firms, utility and cargo trailer builders, and specialty vehicle fabricators.

The company carries a diversified product portfolio including traditional electrical, plumbing, and building material SKUs, and has recently expanded into solar and battery product lines to serve off-grid and sustainable energy demand in RV and specialty vehicle markets. Dave Carter has earned a BBB A+ rating maintained since 2010 and has been recognized with Jayco's Blue Excellence Award every year since 2023, evidencing sustained quality consistency in OEM supply relationships. The business is family-owned with over 100 employees and was acquired by Thetford LLC, a portfolio company of private equity firm Monomoy, in October 2025, with the combined platform subsequently acquiring Norcold LLC assets in November 2025 via $13 million in DIP financing.

Revenue mechanics are driven by wholesale distribution margins on stocked SKUs, value-added services such as kitting and just-in-time delivery to OEM production lines, and long-tenured specification-driven customer relationships. The go-to-market model relies on direct B2B sales to OEM procurement teams, with competitive differentiation anchored in distribution-center density, product breadth across multiple end markets, and integrated supply-chain services rather than technology or AI-driven capabilities.

Name

Dave Carter & Associates

Legal name

Dave Carter & Associates, Inc.

Website

https://davecarter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dave Carter & Associates is a wholesale distributor of electrical, plumbing, and building materials serving RV manufacturers, modular housing builders, and commercial construction firms across 11 US and Canadian distribution centers. Founded 1978, family-owned, 100+ employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Building Materials Distribution

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312), Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers (423130)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Light-Duty Commercial Truck Leasing & Rental (Class 1–2) (TLABABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Concrete, Cement & Aggregates Retail (Bagged Mix, Sand, Gravel) (CRAIAEAG)

Keywords

• Wholesale distribution
• RV parts distribution
• Manufactured housing supplies
• Electrical components distribution
• Plumbing supplies wholesale

Headquarters

HQ city

Ocala

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Parts Distribution: Dave Carter & Associates generates revenue through the wholesale distribution of a diverse catalog of electrical, plumbing, and building products to multiple industries including manufactured housing, modular builders, recreational vehicles, commercial construction, cargo trailers, and specialty vehicle manufacturers. As a multi-line national distributor, the company serves OEM manufacturers with complete component packages and inventory management services. Revenue is derived from product sales with payment terms of Net 30 days (based on the company's own Purchase Order Terms document stating 'Net thirty (N30) days after Buyer's receipt of Products or services').

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dave Carter & Associates is a multi-line national wholesale distributor of electrical, plumbing, and building products serving RV manufacturers, modular and manufactured housing builders, commercial construction companies, cargo trailer producers, and specialty vehicle industries. The company supplies complete OEM component packages through 11 distribution centers in the US and Canada, supported by an international import/export division, field sales, and inventory management services. It also offers specialized solutions such as solar panels and battery systems for off-grid RV applications.

Product overview

Dave Carter & Associates is a multi-line national distributor serving the RV, manufactured housing, modular builders, commercial construction, cargo trailers, and specialty vehicle industries since 1978. The company operates 11 distribution centers across the US and Canada with a product portfolio organized around three core product lines: Electrical Supplies (covering 120V and 12V systems, wire, cable, conduit, LED lighting, and solar/battery solutions for off-grid applications), Plumbing Supplies (including PEX/PVC pipe, valves, fixtures, and specialty components for RVs and modular homes), and Building Supplies (spanning exterior roofing, windows, and decking to interior finishes like carpet padding, ceiling fans, and hardware). The company also supplies dedicated utility trailer components including hardware, wiring, and DOT-approved LED lighting. Products are sourced from brands such as Danco, Milwaukee, and Superior Tool, and the company has recently been acquired by Thetford (backed by Monomoy) as part of a strategic expansion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electrical Supplies Comprehensive line of electrical components for RV, mobile home, manufactured housing, and modular home applications. Includes 120V and 12V products ranging from wire and cable, conduit, breakers/panels, receptacles, GFCIs, and LED lighting to solar panels and battery systems for off-grid solutions. Sourced from brands such as Danco, Milwaukee, and Superior Tool.
• Plumbing Supplies Extensive line of plumbing products including DWV/PEX/PVC pipe, valves, fittings, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, water heaters, urinals, and specialty drain-waste-vent systems designed for RVs and modular homes.
• Building Supplies Full line of building products including exterior offerings (roof ventilation, shingles, decking, windows) and interior products (carpet padding, ceiling fans, shower wall systems, bath and kitchen hardware, fireplaces, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms) for factory-built homes and vehicles.
• Utility Trailer Components Complete line of OEM components for utility trailers including hardware and fasteners, 12-volt wiring and cable systems, DOT-approved exterior LED lighting and reflectors, and interior decorative LED lighting. Serves utility trailer manufacturers, dealers, and operators.
• Modular Home Plumbing Solutions Specialized plumbing supplies for modular homes in Florida, featuring corrosion-resistant PEX piping, flexible water supply lines, shut-off valves, and components designed for high-humidity and saltwater environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Jayco Blue Excellence Award — received every year since the award's inception in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Thetford LLC (backed by Monomoy)flagship / coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025Thetford LLC, backed by private equity firm Monomoy, acquired Dave Carter & Associates in October 2025 as part of Thetford's strategy to expand its operations. Dave Carter & Associates' partnership with Thetford adds more reach and resources, giving customers access to stronger logistics and an even wider product line. This acquisition positions the company under Thetford's ownership while continuing to serve the RV and manufactured housing industries.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MORryde International: Manufacturer and supplier of chassis, suspension, step systems, and component solutions for the RV industry. Comparable as an Indiana-based RV OEM supplier with overlapping product distribution channels.
• Lansing Building Products: Wholesale distributor of exterior building products including siding, windows, and roofing. Comparable as a building products distributor serving contractors and builders, with similar B2B field-sales distribution model.
• Elkhart Components: Manufacturer and distributor of RV components including hardware, trim, and interior parts. Comparable as a specialty RV component supplier with overlapping customer base in the Indiana RV manufacturing cluster.
• LCI Industries: Publicly traded (LCII) supplier of engineered components to the RV, manufactured housing, and adjacent industries, including Lippert brand chassis, suspension, and interior products. Closest direct peer given its dominant position supplying RV OEMs in Elkhart County, Indiana.
• Dometic Group: Global supplier of RV and mobile-living appliances, sanitation, climate, and power solutions. Closely related as a Thetford peer and as an RV OEM component supplier with overlapping product categories in climate control and off-grid power systems.
• Patrick Industries: Publicly traded (PATK) supplier of components and distribution services to RV, manufactured housing, marine, and industrial markets. Directly comparable as a multi-line OEM supplier with overlapping customer base in the RV and MH channels.
• Airxcel: Private manufacturer of RV HVAC, water heating, cooking, and refrigeration products. Comparable as an OEM component supplier to the RV industry with overlapping customer relationships at Jayco and other major manufacturers.
• LaSalle Bristol: Private manufacturer and distributor of HVAC, plumbing, and interior products serving RV and manufactured housing OEMs. Comparable in customer base, product mix (HVAC/plumbing for factory-built structures), and channel focus.

Broad incumbents

• ABC Supply Co. Largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, windows, and exterior building products in North America. Comparable as a multi-line building products distributor serving contractors, though at a much larger scale and broader product mix than Dave Carter's OEM-focused distribution.
• HD Supply: Large-scale wholesale distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products, including facilities and construction supplies. Comparable as a broad-line B2B distributor with overlapping product categories in electrical, plumbing, and building supplies, though operating at substantially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dave Carter & Associates