What Northeastern Supply does

Northeastern Supply, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned B2B wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, water systems, pipe/valves/fittings (PVF), tools, and safety supplies serving residential and commercial contractors across the Mid-Atlantic United States. Founded in 1945 in downtown Baltimore and still controlled by the Cook family across three generations, the company operates 38 branch locations plus a retail showroom in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, organized around horizontal trade segments (commercial plumbing contractors, residential plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors, and water systems contractors). Same-day will-call pickup, next-day branch delivery, 2–4 hour Hot Water Express commercial water heater delivery, 24/7 emergency service, Moffett truck jobsite delivery, and a 50+ trailer jobsite storage fleet are bundled with product distribution to deepen contractor relationships.

The company's distribution backbone is a 175,000-square-foot central distribution center in Aberdeen, MD — featuring 30+ foot high shelving, over two miles of conveyor belts with barcode-driven automatic shipment routing, and a daily fleet network supplying all branches via hub-and-spoke logistics. Customer-facing technology consists of the NEConnect e-commerce platform (northeastern.com) and native iOS/Android mobile applications enabling 24/7 product search, branch-by-branch inventory visibility, cross-branch inventory requesting, online ordering, quoting, invoicing, and account-specific pricing — with Billtrust SSO integration for payment workflows. The commercial technology layer is conventional digital tooling rather than an AI-driven stack.

Northeastern makes money predominantly through product markups on plumbing and HVAC distribution, with customer-specific negotiated pricing tied to account relationships and order volumes on net 30 payment terms. Revenue is complemented by service fees from Hot Water Express, Moffett truck delivery, jobsite storage trailer rental, and the H2O Water Systems division. The go-to-market combines an enterprise field-sales model — dedicated account executives and a commercial sales division supported by 300+ supplier partnerships including Bradford White, American Standard, GE Appliances, Mitsubishi Electric, Watts, Apollo Valves, Noritz, Aprilaire, Charlotte Pipe, and Goulds Water Technology — with direct self-service ordering via the web and mobile channels. Ownership remains concentrated with the Cook family; Steve Cook serves as CEO, Stan Allen as President, and Stephanie Cook as Principal.

Name

Northeastern Supply

Legal name

Northeastern Supply, Inc.

Website

https://northeastern.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Northeastern Supply is a family-owned B2B wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, water systems, pipe/valves/fittings, tools, and safety supplies, serving residential and commercial contractors across 38 branches in the Mid-Atlantic United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plumbing and HVAC Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (4237), Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers (423720), Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42373), Hardware Merchant Wholesalers (423710)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Kitchen & Bath (Cabinetry, Fixtures, Plumbing) Distribution (CRAOAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Regional Hub / National Hub Distribution Centers (Multi-node Network Hubs) (TLALAEAN)

Keywords

• Plumbing distribution
• HVAC wholesale
• Pipe valves fittings
• Water systems supply
• Contractor supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices37 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plumbing & HVAC Product Distribution: B2B distribution of plumbing fixtures, HVAC equipment, water heaters, pumps, valves, pipe/fittings, and tools to residential and commercial contractors. Revenue generated through product markups on supplier prices, with customer-specific pricing based on account relationships and order volume.
2. Jobsite Services: Jobsite storage trailer rental service providing 48-foot storage trailers for commercial contractors to store materials on job sites, protected from weather and theft. Service includes fleet of over 50 trailers.
3. Hot Water Express Delivery: Premium 24-hour commercial water heater delivery service featuring factory-trained specialists, 2-4 hour delivery windows, lift gate and stair climber equipment, and removal of old heaters.
4. Moffett Truck Delivery: Delivery service using Moffett trucks with mounted forklifts to deliver and unload cumbersome materials directly to job sites.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Northeastern Supply is a wholesale distributor that supplies plumbing fixtures, HVAC equipment, pipe/valves/fittings (PVF), water treatment and pumps, and tools and safety supplies to professional plumbing, HVAC, and water systems contractors. Distribution is delivered through 38 branch locations, a centralized distribution center, an e-commerce platform, a mobile app, and value-added services such as emergency water heater delivery, jobsite storage, and Moffett truck delivery.

Product overview

Northeastern Supply is a B2B distributor of plumbing, HVAC, water systems, and hardware products operating as a single unified distribution platform with multiple branch locations across the Mid-Atlantic region. The core offering consists of physical product categories (Plumbing Products, Heating & Cooling/HVAC Equipment, Pipe/Valves/Fittings, Tools & Safety Supplies) supported by a network of 38+ branches and a central distribution center. Services complement the product portfolio including Hot Water Express (emergency water heater delivery), H2O Water Systems (water treatment), 24 Hour Emergency Service, Moffett Truck Delivery, and Jobsite Storage. The company operates a digital platform via northeastern.com website and mobile app enabling online ordering, inventory viewing, invoice access, and account management. Product offerings are organized around major trade categories with extensive sub-categories and featured brand partnerships including Bradford White, American Standard, GE Appliances, Watts, Apollo Valves, Mitsubishi Electric, and Noritz.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plumbing Products Comprehensive plumbing supplies including faucets, fixtures, toilets/urinals, water heaters (residential, commercial, point-of-use, tankless, indirect), garbage disposals, pumps (booster, circulator, condensate, grinder, jet, submersible, utility, effluent/sewage, sump), backflow preventers, water treatment and filtration systems, and bath/shower drains sold to plumbing contractors.
• Heating & Cooling / HVAC Equipment Full range of HVAC equipment including AC/condensing units, air handlers, furnaces, heat pumps, indoor coils, PTAC units, rooftop/package units, through-the-wall air conditioners, complete HVAC systems, ductless and ducted mini splits, boilers, thermostats, indoor air quality products, and HVAC parts and accessories distributed to HVAC contractors.
• Pipe, Valves & Fittings (PVF) Extensive pipe, valves, and fittings inventory including fittings (brass, carbon steel, cast iron, copper, CPVC, CSST, galvanized, PEX, PVC, stainless steel), pipe (copper tubing, CPVC, PEX, PVC, steel), valves (ball, butterfly, check, gate, globe, pressure reducing), hangers, flanges, and pipe insulation supplied to plumbing and mechanical contractors.
• Tools & Safety Supplies Tools and safety equipment including batteries, blades, caulk/sealants, cement/primers, extension cords, fasteners, fire safety/first aid, hand and power tools, hoses, job site supplies, ladders, lights, protective wear, safety signs, and solder/braze/flux/tapes supplied to contractors.
• Hot Water Express 24/7 quick, full-service delivery of commercial water heaters featuring factory-trained specialists on Bradford White water heaters, sizing advice, troubleshooting, delivery to the installation point, lift gate and stair climber equipment, and removal of old heaters with 2-4 hour delivery windows.
• H2O Water Systems
• 24 Hour Emergency Service
• Moffett Truck Delivery
• Jobsite Storage Trailers
• Northeastern Supply Mobile App

Quantifiable outcome

• 99%+ order accuracy
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered acquisition, key, notable and community.

• Shank WholesalersacquisitionOthers · 21 September 2020Acquired plumbing and heating wholesaler in Harrisonburg, VA. Former Shank Wholesalers location at 1136 S High Street, Harrisonburg, VA continues as NE branch. Branch Manager Tom Frye retained with 47 years industry experience.
• WattskeyOthersFeatured supplier partner for plumbing products including water heaters, valves, and filtration systems. Watts products stocked at all branch locations.
• American Standard Heating & Air ConditioningkeyOthersFeatured HVAC equipment supplier. Products include AC units, air handlers, furnaces, and heat pumps. Featured brand on homepage.
• Bradford WhitekeyOthersKey water heater supplier featured on homepage. Factory-trained specialists on Bradford White products through Hot Water Express service. Products include residential and commercial gas and electric water heaters.
• GE ApplianceskeyOthersPremium brand partner for water heaters and appliances. Featured on homepage and dedicated brand page with product categories.
• Apollo ValveskeyOthersFeatured supplier for valves including butterfly valves and ball valves. Promotional materials and dedicated brand presence on website.
• Mitsubishi ElectrickeyOthersFeatured HVAC supplier for ductless and ducted mini-split systems. Featured brand on homepage with dedicated brand page.
• NoritznotableOthersTankless water heater supplier featured on homepage. Part of Hot Water Express service offerings.
• AprilairenotableOthersIndoor air quality products supplier including humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air cleaners.
• Charlotte PipenotableOthersPipe and fittings supplier. Featured supplier partner on homepage.
• Goulds Water TechnologynotableOthersWater systems and pumps supplier. Featured on H2O Water Systems division and homepage.
• Victory PumpsnotableOthersPump products supplier with dedicated brand page on website.
• Milwaukee ToolnotableOthersHand and power tools supplier featured on brands page. Products include tape measures, packout storage, and other contractor tools.
• Gold in FightcommunityOthersCharitable organization receiving memorial donations in memory of John H. Cook III. P.O. Box 1005, Ft. George Meade, MD 20755.
• American Supply Association Education FoundationcommunityOthersIndustry education foundation receiving memorial donations. Located at 1200 N. Arlington Heights Rd. #150, Itasca, IL 60143.
• Helping Up MissioncommunityOthersCommunity organization serving men and women fighting addiction and homelessness in Greater Baltimore. NE donated refrigerated truck used during COVID-19 to distribute food to those in need.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ABC Supply Co. Largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, windows, and related building products in North America. Adjacent in contractor channel and distribution scale, with some overlap in HVAC-adjacent categories.
• Ferguson Enterprises: Largest North American distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and waterworks supplies. Overlaps directly with Northeastern Supply's core plumbing and HVAC categories but operates nationally with substantially greater scale, private-label, and credit capabilities.
• Reece Limited: Australia- and U.S.-based plumbing, bathroom, HVAC, and waterworks distributor (operates Morsco, Action, and others in the U.S.). Overlaps with Northeastern Supply in plumbing and HVAC categories as a broader, geographically diversified incumbent.

Regional players

• Morrison Supply Company: Plumbing, HVAC, and waterworks distributor primarily serving Texas and the South Central U.S. Comparable product mix and contractor customer base but operates in a different regional footprint than Northeastern Supply.

Direct peers

• Hajoca Corporation: Privately held, ~80-year-old plumbing/HVAC distributor operating ~400 locations across the U.S. Closely mirrors Northeastern Supply's contractor-focused B2B model, branch network, and value-added services, making it the most structurally comparable peer.
• SRS Distribution: National building products distributor with roofing, HVAC, and plumbing categories. Overlaps with Northeastern Supply in HVAC distribution to contractors and has been an active acquirer of regional distributors, providing a relevant consolidation peer.
• Johnstone Supply: Cooperative-style HVAC and refrigeration parts distributor with hundreds of branches across North America. Directly competes in HVAC equipment, parts, and supplies serving HVAC contractors, overlapping heavily with Northeastern Supply's HVAC category.
• Winsupply: Decentralized distribution company with majority plumbing, HVAC, and industrial supply operations across the U.S. Serves similar contractor customers with a comparable hub-and-spoke and local-ownership branch model.

Others

• Rinnai America: Manufacturer of tankless water heaters and gas appliances, sold through plumbing and HVAC distributors including Northeastern Supply. Comparable as a key brand supplier and as an indicator of category demand in water heating.

Emerging players

• Reliance Worldwide Corporation: Manufacturer and supplier of plumbing and water management products (e.g., SharkBite). Sits upstream of Northeastern Supply but is a relevant comparable given shared plumbing customer base and exposure to repair/retrofit trends.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NortheasternSupply
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/775652
• Instagraminstagram.com/northeastern_supply

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Northeastern Supply