Master Wholesale
Master Wholesale is a privately held Seattle-based specialty distributor, founded in 1993, that sells tile, stone, concrete, and general construction tools and supplies through a 22,000 sq. ft. Georgetown showroom and the masterwholesale.com e-commerce site to trade professionals and DIY consumers across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Master Wholesale does
Master Wholesale, Inc. is a privately held, locally owned specialty distributor founded in 1993 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company supplies tile, stone, concrete, masonry, and general construction tools, equipment, supplies, fixtures, and materials to two customer segments: trade professionals (tile installers, contractors, masons, concrete and stone fabricators) and the general public undertaking DIY home improvement projects. Its commercial footprint centers on a 22,000 sq. ft. retail showroom and warehouse at 520 S. Front Street in Seattle's Georgetown industrial district, complemented by a national e-commerce presence on masterwholesale.com.
The product offering is organized into six catalog modules — Tools & Equipment, Hardware, Shower & Bath, Radiant Floor Heating, Construction Materials, and Vinyl Flooring & Moldings (LVP) — encompassing distributed third-party brands (Schluter Systems, Wedi, Laticrete, Triton MgO Products, USG, Barwalt, Distar, RTC, Rubi, Nuheat, Suntouch, SAS Safety, MK Diamond, Ardex, IQ Power Tools, ProKnee) alongside two unregistered common-law house brands (MasterBoard waterproof tile backer and MasterHeat radiant floor heating) and several Master Wholesale-branded accessories such as buckets, water-feed lines, and grout floats. The e-commerce platform is built on Magento with cookie-based session handling, advanced search, customer accounts, and real-time UPS/USPS rate calculation; the store also offers a price-match workflow with online offer submission and a newsletter/blog content engine.
Revenue is generated entirely through transactional per-SKU product sales, ancillary shipping and handling fees (including flat-rate Schluter direct-ship tiers of $49.95 Continental US, $79.95 AK/HI, $95.00 2-day, and $119.95 next-day air), and 15-25% restocking fees on eligible returns. Go-to-market combines a direct-to-consumer showroom, a nationwide e-commerce storefront, manufacturer drop-shipping relationships (Schluter, MK Diamond, Rubi), and an inside-sales phone desk. Pricing is pay-as-you-go with no subscription tiers; free-shipping thresholds of $49 or $99 apply to commercial addresses in the continental 48 states. Marketing relies on SEO, an educational blog, a newsletter, and on-page social share buttons, with no disclosed paid acquisition or formal PR program.
Master Wholesale firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Master Wholesale
- Legal name
- Master Wholesale, Inc.
- Website
- https://masterwholesale.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Master Wholesale is a privately held Seattle-based specialty distributor, founded in 1993, that sells tile, stone, concrete, and general construction tools and supplies through a 22,000 sq. ft. Georgetown showroom and the masterwholesale.com e-commerce site to trade professionals and DIY consumers across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Master Wholesale industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tile and Stone Tools and Supplies Distribution
- NAICS
- Other Building Material Dealers (44418), Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (444), Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers (42331)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420), Wholesale-Durable Goods, Nec (5099), Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial/Builder Kitchen & Bath Showrooms (Trade-Focused) (CRAIAFAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bathroom Vanities & Cabinetry Showrooms (CRAIAFAB), Kitchen & Bath Surfaces (Backsplash, Wall Panels, Specialty Tile) Showrooms (CRAIAFAJ)
Keywords
Where Master Wholesale is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Master Wholesale business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Retail and Online Product Sales: One-time transactional sales of tools, equipment, hardware, shower systems, radiant floor heating, construction materials, and vinyl flooring to both professionals and the general public via the Seattle storefront and masterwholesale.com. Pricing varies per SKU, with same-day shipping for in-stock orders placed before 1pm PST.
- Shipping and Handling Fees: Charges for standard UPS/USPS calculated shipping, Schluter direct-ship flat fees ($49.95 Continental US, $79.95 AK/HI, $95.00 2-day air, $119.95 next day air), and lift-gate delivery upgrades. Some products qualify for free shipping (standalone, free with $49 order, or free with $99 order) to commercial addresses in the contiguous 48 states.
- Restocking and Post-Sale Adjustments: 15-25% restocking fees on eligible returns; in-store credit (not cash refunds) issued for returns within 30 days; manufacturer-direct warranty claims after 30 days. Functions as an ancillary revenue/cost-recovery stream tied to product sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free Shipping (item-specific): no shipping charge on designated items shipped within the Free Shipping Territory to a commercial address. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free Shipping w/ $49 Order: free shipping on qualifying items when order total is $49 or more. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free Shipping w/ $99 Order: free shipping on qualifying items when order total is $99 or more. |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Per-item unit pricing across catalog with no subscription tiers. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Price match / online offer: customers can submit lower-price offers on identical products and receive a coupon code if accepted. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Sales tax and shipping added at checkout; prices subject to change without notice. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Master Wholesale product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Master Wholesale distributes tools, equipment, supplies, fixtures, and construction materials focused on tile, stone, concrete, masonry, and shower installation through a 22,000 sq. ft. retail showroom/warehouse in Seattle's Georgetown district and the masterwholesale.com e-commerce site. The catalog spans cutting tools, diamond blades, leveling systems, waterproofing membranes, backer boards, shower systems, radiant floor heating, grouting tools, and adjacent consumables sold to trade professionals and the general public. Own house brands (MasterBoard, MasterHeat) sit alongside distributed third-party brands (Schluter, Wedi, Laticrete, Rubi, MK Diamond, Distar, RTC, USG, Triton MgO, Barwalt, Nuheat, Suntouch, SAS Safety).
Product overview
Master Wholesale, Inc. operates a single, unified e-commerce and showroom business (masterwholesale.com plus a 22,000 sq ft retail location in Seattle's Georgetown industrial district) that distributes tile, stone, concrete, masonry, and general contractor tools and supplies under a portfolio organized as one storefront with catalog modules rather than as a separate platform-plus-add-ons product. The catalog is grouped into the modules Tools & Equipment, Hardware, Shower & Bath, Radiant Floor Heating, Construction Materials, and Vinyl Flooring & Moldings - LVP, which together carry both the company's own house brands (MasterBoard waterproof tile backer system, MasterHeat radiant floor heat, and Master Wholesale-branded accessories such as 5/3.5 gallon buckets, the 10ft 2-Way Spray Loc-Line water feed, the Tapered Toe-Kick Grout Float, and the Premium Yellow Epoxy Grout Float) and a wide set of distributed third-party brands including Schluter, Wedi, Laticrete, Triton MgO Products, USG, Barwalt, Distar, Russo Trading Company (RTC), Makita, Bosch, Rubi, IQ Power Tools, Ardex, ProKnee, and SAS Safety. The MasterBoard and MasterHeat lines sit alongside Schluter, Suntouch, and Wedi as anchor in-house and distributed offerings, while new items such as the Triton Waterproof Backer Board, RTC WrinGo Mobile Workstation, Distar Proxxon LWB/A Cordless Long Neck 10.8V Angle Drill, and RTC Kneel-It V3 Rolling Knee Pads are surfaced as featured launches on the storefront.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Masterboard: Master Wholesale's own waterproof tile backer system, featured as a banner brand on the homepage.
- MasterHeat
Products and services
- MasterBoard Waterproof Tile Backer System
Quantifiable outcome
- 22,000 sq. ft. retail/warehouse footprint supporting same-day shipping for orders placed before 1pm PST (9am for Schluter)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Master Wholesale
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Master Wholesale technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature3 records
Master Wholesale partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Schluter SystemsflagshipSchluter is one of Master Wholesale's most prominent brands, with a dedicated navigation hub covering trim profiles (DILEX, JOLLY, RENO, RONDEC, SCHIENE, QUADEC, TREP, FINEC, VINPRO, shower profiles, corners & accessories), KERDI-BOARD waterproof building panels, KERDI waterproofing membranes/tapes, DITRA uncoupling membranes, shower kits, and thermostats. Master Wholesale ships most Schluter products direct from Schluter at flat fees ($49.95 Continental US, $79.95 AK/HI, $95.00 2-Day Air, $119.95 Next Day Air); some Schluter items ship from the Seattle warehouse via USPS Priority Mail. Cutoff for same-day Schluter shipping is 9am PST.
- Russo Trading Company (RTC)coreRusso Trading Company is featured on the Master Wholesale home page as a featured-products brand, including the RTC Kneel-It V3 Rolling Knee Pads ($369.00) and the RTC WrinGo Mobile Workstation ($99.00). The WrinGo Mobile Workstation is described as a system that pairs with the WrinGo Automatic Sponge Machine to create a professional tile-cleaning solution.
- DistarcoreDistar is featured as a Master Wholesale brand partner with multiple SKUs, including the Distar Proxxon LWB/A Cordless Long Neck 10.8V Angle Drill ($290.00) and the Distar Water Guard Kit for Proxxon LWB/A ($28.66) which converts the Proxxon drill into a wet-cutting system. Featured prominently on the homepage.
- Triton MgO ProductscoreTriton MgO Products is a Master Wholesale brand partner for magnesium-oxide (MgO) tile backer boards. Master Wholesale sells both the Triton Backer Board ($12.40 - $19.38 per panel depending on thickness) and the Triton Waterproof Backer Board with factory-applied waterproof membrane ($31.00 - $72.85). Products are ANSI, ASTM, and ICC-ES code-compliant.
- WediflagshipWedi is a flagship Master Wholesale brand partner covering waterproof building panels ($40.31 - $243.99), Fundo shower systems (Primo and Riolito Neo lines, with kits up to $1,852.87), and accessories (joint sealant, fasteners, mesh tape, shower base extensions). Featured prominently in "Popular Categories / Building Materials" and "Blog Articles" with a dedicated "How to build a complete Wedi shower in 5 Steps" educational article.
- USG (United States Gypsum)coreMaster Wholesale sells USG Fiberock Tile Backer Board ($13.52 - $14.88) as a synthetic-gypsum / cellulose-fiber underlayment with 95% certified recycled content, 20-year limited warranty, and water/mold/indentation resistance for wet and dry areas.
- BarwaltcoreBarwalt is featured across multiple product categories: Ultralight Grout Wall Float UWF-1 ($16.98), Ultra Floor Sponge with Handle ($18.60), Micro-Fiber Sponge ($4.90), Ultralight Epoxy Floor Grout Float, Ultralight Oversize Wall Float, and the Ultra Grouting System.
- Rubi ToolscoreRubi Tools is a Master Wholesale brand partner covering tile cutters, tile leveling systems (Delta, Delta Tile Leveling System Kits), RubiClean Grout Cleaning Kit ($44.35), and Professional Gel Comfort Knee Pads ($36.95). Featured on the home-page brand carousel. Rubi drop-ship items can take up to 5 business days to ship.
- ArdexminorArdex products are featured on the Master Wholesale homepage brand carousel under the /brand/ardex directory page, covering tile and stone installation materials.
- IQ Power ToolsminorIQ Power Tools is featured on the Master Wholesale homepage brand carousel and listed under /brand/iq-power-tools, covering dust-collection power tools for the construction trades.
- ProKneeminorProKnee is featured on the Master Wholesale homepage brand carousel and listed under /brand/proknee, supplying knee-pad products for tile and floor installers.
- LaticretecoreLaticrete is a brand partner across multiple categories: Hydro Ban waterproofing/crack-isolation membrane ($115.00+), Hydro Ban Pre-Sloped Shower Pan extensions ($219.00), Blue 92 Anti-Fracture Membrane, PermaColor Select Grout Color Kit, and ALL-SET mortar. Featured in blog content ("How to Mix a Small Batch of Laticrete PermaColor Grout").
- NuheatcoreNuheat HOME Touchscreen Thermostat is the current "Weekly Special" on the masterwholesale.com homepage at $215.00; a 7-day programmable thermostat with dual-voltage compatibility, Class A GFCI protection, energy monitoring, and floor/air sensing for electric floor heating systems.
- SuntouchcoreSuntouch is featured under Master Wholesale's "Radiant Floor Heating" popular category (/brand/suntouch), supplying electric radiant floor heating mats and components alongside MasterHeat and Schluter offerings.
- SAS SafetycoreSAS Safety is a Master Wholesale brand partner supplying disposable gloves (Astro-Grip Powder-Free Nitrile 7 mil box of 100 at $19.99, Raven Extended Cuff 8 mil box of 50 from $17.95, Vinyl-Guard Powder-Free) and other safety/PPE items.
- MK DiamondcoreMK Diamond drop-ship items can take up to 5 business days to ship from the manufacturer per Master Wholesale's Shipping Policy, indicating MK Diamond products are stocked and sold via Master Wholesale's catalog with manufacturer-direct fulfillment.
- UPS and USPScoreMaster Wholesale uses UPS and USPS as its primary shipping carriers, offering real-time UPS or USPS shipping calculators on the My Cart page. USPS Priority Mail (2-3 day delivery) is offered for some in-stock Seattle-warehouse Schluter items; signature-required delivery applies to orders over $600.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Master Wholesale competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ohio Power Tool: Ohio Power Tool is an online retailer specializing in power tools, accessories, and shop supplies serving professional trades. It is comparable to Master Wholesale as a digitally native power-tool and accessory specialist targeting contractors.
- White Cap: White Cap is a leading distributor of specialty concrete, masonry, and tile tools, equipment, and supplies serving concrete and masonry contractors across the U.S. It directly overlaps Master Wholesale's masonry/concrete tools and accessories assortment and professional buyer base.
- The Tile Shop: The Tile Shop is a specialty tile and stone retailer operating company-owned stores plus e-commerce serving both consumers and trade/professionals. It is the most direct U.S. comparable to Master Wholesale's tile/stone showroom-plus-online model.
- Toolbarn: Toolbarn is an online specialty retailer of power tools, hand tools, and accessories serving contractors and DIYers. It is a close comparable to Master Wholesale's 'Tools & Equipment' catalog and contractor target customer.
- MSI Surfaces: MSI is one of the largest U.S. distributors of flooring, countertops, decorative mosaics, and wall tile, serving dealers, contractors, and consumers through a national network of distribution centers. It mirrors Master Wholesale's specialty trade distribution motion at materially larger scale.
Emerging players
- Zoro: Zoro is an e-commerce MRO and contractor supply retailer (Grainger-owned) offering tools, safety, and janitorial supplies online to tradespeople and businesses. It competes head-on with Master Wholesale's e-commerce catalog in tools, hardware, and PPE.
- Tundra (online construction supply): Tundra is an online-only specialty marketplace for industrial and construction MRO supplies (fasteners, tools, safety) with no-contract wholesale pricing aimed at business buyers. It is comparable to Master Wholesale as a digitally native, price-aggressive trade supply competitor with overlapping tools and safety categories.
Broad incumbents
- Build.com (Ferguson): Build.com is a Ferguson Enterprises-owned online retailer of home improvement products (faucets, sinks, tile tools, shower systems). It overlaps with Master Wholesale's hardware, shower/bath, and installation supplies and represents a much larger incumbent in adjacent categories.
- Home Depot Pro / The Home Depot: Home Depot is the largest U.S. home improvement retailer with a dedicated Pro Xtra loyalty program serving professional contractors. It is the most significant broad incumbent competing with Master Wholesale for trade tools, tile, and building materials spend.
Regional players
- Acme Tools: Acme Tools is a multi-store and online retailer of tools, equipment, and accessories based in the Upper Midwest, serving professional contractors and DIYers. It mirrors Master Wholesale's combined showroom-plus-omnichannel tools supply model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Master Wholesale social profiles
Digital presenceMaster Wholesale financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Master Wholesale leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Master Wholesale funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Master Wholesale M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Master Wholesale
What does Master Wholesale do?
Master Wholesale distributes tools, equipment, supplies, fixtures, and construction materials focused on tile, stone, concrete, masonry, and shower installation through a 22,000 sq. ft. retail showroom/warehouse in Seattle's Georgetown district and the masterwholesale.com e-commerce site. The catalog spans cutting tools, diamond blades, leveling systems, waterproofing membranes, backer boards, shower systems, radiant floor heating, grouting tools, and adjacent consumables sold to trade professionals and the general public. Own house brands (MasterBoard, MasterHeat) sit alongside distributed third-party brands (Schluter, Wedi, Laticrete, Rubi, MK Diamond, Distar, RTC, USG, Triton MgO, Barwalt, Nuheat, Suntouch, SAS Safety).
Is Master Wholesale a public or private company?
Master Wholesale is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Master Wholesale founded?
Master Wholesale was founded in 1993. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Master Wholesale based?
Master Wholesale is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Master Wholesale make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Retail and Online Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are shipping and Handling Fees and restocking and Post-Sale Adjustments.
Who are Master Wholesale's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ohio Power Tool, White Cap, The Tile Shop, Toolbarn and MSI Surfaces. Emerging players are Zoro and Tundra (online construction supply). Broad incumbents are Build.com (Ferguson) and Home Depot Pro / The Home Depot. Acme Tools is listed as a regional player.
Does Master Wholesale have an API?
No public API is recorded for Master Wholesale.
What industry is Master Wholesale in?
Master Wholesale's product category is Tile and Stone Tools and Supplies Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAFAK, Commercial/Builder Kitchen & Bath Showrooms (Trade-Focused), with a secondary code of CRAIAFAB, Bathroom Vanities & Cabinetry Showrooms. Its NAICS code is 44418 and its SIC code is 5070.