What Best Supply does

Best Supply is a private, family-owned distributor of commercial and residential interior building products founded in 1983 and headquartered in Eastlake, Ohio. The company distributes drywall, metal framing, acoustical ceilings, insulation, access panels, specialty boards and panels, fasteners and adhesives, construction tools, safety gear and PPE, and commercial doors and frames sourced from leading manufacturers including Certainteed, Hunter Douglas, USG, National Gypsum, Clark Dietrich, Georgia-Pacific, Rockwool, and others. Best Supply operates 18 distribution centers across eight Midwestern and Southeastern states (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida), supported by an in-house transport fleet whose drivers deliver and offload materials directly to job sites.

The business runs on a traditional distribution model with limited proprietary technology: the company uses a Dealer Management System (DMS) for its payment portal and order management, a website with a Request-a-Quote form and self-serve inventory browsing, and a separate credit application process for opening accounts. There is no described AI/ML platform, no proprietary software product, and no app; all offerings are physical building materials and tools for construction contractors. Field sales is delivered through construction specialists who assist with material selection for projects of all sizes, complemented by inside sales via online quote requests and direct-to-consumer browsing for smaller buyers.

Best Supply generates revenue through markup on distributed products, with volume-based pricing incentives for large institutional orders (hospitals, hotels, schools) and custom panel fabrication available on request. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed for most products. Customers span commercial construction (offices, mixed-use developments), institutional construction (schools, hospitals, government facilities, sports venues), residential construction, and green/sustainable projects targeting LEED certification. The owner and president, Tim Small, is actively engaged in day-to-day operations, and the company culture is described as family-oriented and cooperative.

Name

Best Supply

Legal name

Best Supply Inc.

Website

https://bestsupply.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Best Supply is a family-owned distributor of interior building products, including drywall, metal framing, ceilings, insulation, access panels, fasteners, tools, safety gear, and commercial doors, serving commercial, institutional, and residential construction contractors across eight Midwestern and Southeastern U.S. states through 18 company-operated distribution centers and an in-house delivery fleet.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Materials Distribution

NAICS

Lumber and Other Construction Materials Merchant Wholesalers (4233), Roofing, Siding, and Insulation Material Merchant Wholesalers (42333)

SIC

Wholesale-Lumber & Other Construction Materials (5030)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Materials & Lumber Distribution (CRAOAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Structural & Framing Components Retail (Trusses, Joists, Beams, Engineered Wood) (CRAIAEAJ), Workplace/Jobsite Supplies Retail (Site Consumables, Tarps, Ropes, Chains) (CRAIADAN)

Keywords

• Building materials distribution
• Interior construction supplies
• Drywall and metal framing
• Acoustical ceiling products
• Commercial construction supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Eastlake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Interior Building Products Distribution: Best Supply generates revenue by distributing a wide range of interior building products — including drywall, metal framing, acoustical ceilings, insulation, access panels, specialty boards and panels, fasteners, tools, and safety gear — to commercial, institutional, and residential construction customers. Revenue is derived from the markup on product sales, with volume-based pricing incentives for large orders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Best Supply distributes a wide assortment of interior construction building products — drywall, metal framing, acoustical ceilings, insulation, specialty boards and panels, access panels, fasteners, adhesives, tools, safety gear and PPE, and commercial doors and frames — to commercial, institutional, and residential construction customers across the U.S. Midwest and Southeast. The company adds value through in-house job-site delivery, construction-specialist field sales, custom panel fabrication with short lead times, and volume-based pricing for institutional projects.

Product overview

Best Supply is a building materials distributor offering a portfolio of interior construction supplies. The core offering consists of physical building materials including Access Panels, Acoustic Ceilings, Construction Jobsite Tools, Construction Safety Gear and PPE, Fasteners and Adhesives, Insulation Products, Metal Framing, Specialty Boards and Panels, Wallboard and Accessories, and Commercial Doors and Frames. These products are sourced from leading manufacturers and distributed through company-owned distribution centers across eight states. The company does not offer a software platform or digital product—all offerings are physical construction materials and tools for contractors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Access Panels Ceiling and wall access panels, doors and hatches for commercial, institutional, and residential construction, available in flush mount, recessed, surface mount, fire-rated, and custom fabricated variants (including fire-rated panels, multipurpose panels, valve boxes, duct doors, floor hatches, roof hatches, mailboxes, and concealed GFRG panels).
• Acoustic Ceilings and Accessories Acoustic ceiling tiles, grid systems, and accessories (including architectural ceiling systems from Hunter Douglas and Certainteed) for trouble-free installation in commercial and residential applications.
• Construction Jobsite Tools Commercial power tools, battery systems, specialized tools for roughing, framing and finishing, ladders, scaffolds, and tool belts for construction contractors.
• Construction Safety Gear and PPE Personal protective equipment and jobsite safety gear to keep workers safe, comply with OSHA and other regulations, and complete jobs on time.
• Fasteners and Adhesives Fasteners, adhesives, and specialty tools for use across drywall, framing, ceiling, insulation, and panel installation product lines.
• Insulation Products Fiberglass insulation, mineral wool (Rockwool), foam board, and polyiso foam board to meet a broad range of specifications for climate control, acoustics, and fire performance.
• Metal Framing Studs and Lumber Structural framing materials including metal studs, track, and lumber for commercial and residential use.
• Specialty Boards and Panels Cement board, high-impact and ballistic panels, lead-lined drywall, pre-finished panels, glass mat panels, and other specialty products with performance properties for healthcare, security, and high-moisture environments.
• Wallboard and Accessories Drywall, sheetrock, wallboard, sheathing, and related accessories for interior and exterior construction applications.
• Commercial Doors and Frames Metal and wood commercial doors and steel frames, available from stock or custom fabricated, for all ratings and environments including institutional and commercial facilities.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CertainteedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertainteed is one of the leading manufacturers Best Supply works with to provide insulation systems, acoustic solutions, and architectural ceiling systems. The partnership enables Best Supply to offer a wide range of Certainteed products across its distribution network.
• Hunter DouglascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunter Douglas is a key manufacturer partner providing architectural ceiling systems and acoustic solutions through Best Supply's distribution centers.
• Norton IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorton Industries supplies specialty products including access panels and related building materials to Best Supply.
• CendrexcoreTechnology or IntegrationCendrex is an international leader in access panels, mailboxes, and floor and roof hatches, providing fast production and easy installation for high quality products sourced through Best Supply.
• Karp (ACUDYOR)coreTechnology or IntegrationKarp is described as the world leader in access door products for walls, ceilings, floors and roofs. Best Supply distributes Karp products for all access panel applications.
• Stealth (Wind-Lock)coreTechnology or IntegrationStealth Access Panels from Wind-Lock are the leading glass fiber reinforced gypsum (GFRG) ceiling and wall panels specified for residential and commercial applications where discreet, concealed access is desired. Distributed through Best Supply.
• Babcock-DaviscoreTechnology or IntegrationBabcock-Davis has been designing and producing the highest quality commercial building products for over 100 years. Best Supply distributes their access panels and building products.
• Clark DietrichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClark Dietrich is listed among the supplier and partner logos on the Best Supply website as a metal framing and related building product manufacturer.
• National GypsumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Gypsum is listed among supplier logos as a manufacturer of gypsum wallboard and related products.
• Georgia-PacificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia-Pacific is listed among manufacturer partners supplying building materials to Best Supply.
• USGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSG is listed among manufacturer partners supplying wallboard, acoustical products, and related interior construction materials.
• RockwoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRockwool is listed as a manufacturer partner supplying insulation products through Best Supply.
• Marino WareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarino Ware is listed as a metal framing and building product manufacturer in Best Supply's partner network.
• American GypsumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Gypsum is listed as a manufacturer partner supplying gypsum wallboard and related products.
• Grabber Construction ProductsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrabber is listed as a manufacturer partner supplying fasteners and related construction products through Best Supply.
• Trim-TexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrim-Tex is listed as a manufacturer partner supplying specialty building products through Best Supply.
• Tool-ProminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTool-Pro is listed as a manufacturer partner supplying construction tools through Best Supply.
• Biewer LumberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiewer Lumber is listed as a manufacturer partner supplying lumber products through Best Supply.
• Crane CompositesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrane Composites is listed as a manufacturer partner supplying composite building materials through Best Supply.
• Hunter PanelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunter Panels is listed as a manufacturer partner supplying insulated panel products through Best Supply.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ferguson Enterprises: Ferguson is a Fortune 500 distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and related building infrastructure products serving contractors and builders. While its core categories differ from Best Supply's interior focus, it is a comparable specialty-distribution incumbent that competes for the same institutional/commercial project wallet.
• US LBM: US LBM is a leading national distributor of building materials including lumber, millwork, drywall, and specialty products serving production homebuilders and commercial contractors. Comparable to Best Supply in core categories (drywall, framing, panels) but operating at substantially larger scale across more states.
• ABC Supply Co. ABC Supply is the largest U.S. wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, windows, and interior building products, serving contractors through 900+ branches nationwide. While it spans a broader product set than Best Supply, it is the dominant incumbent competing for the same contractor customer wallet in overlapping Midwest/Southeast markets.
• Weyerhaeuser Distribution: Weyerhaeuser's building materials distribution segment supplies structural framing, OSB, and engineered wood to dealers and contractors across the U.S. It overlaps with Best Supply's framing and lumber categories and represents a major national incumbent supplier of similar core materials.
• HD Supply (Home Depot Pro): HD Supply (now Home Depot Pro) is a national B2B distributor of maintenance, repair, and construction products including drywall, ceilings, fasteners, and safety gear. It competes with Best Supply for mid-market and institutional contractor accounts and has substantially greater scale and digital procurement tools.

Direct peers

• SRS Distribution: SRS Distribution is a national building products distributor focused on roofing, drywall, ceilings, and complementary interior products serving contractors. It competes directly with Best Supply in several overlapping Midwest/Southeast markets and has expanded aggressively via acquisition.
• Gulfeagle Supply: Gulfeagle Supply is one of the largest privately held roofing and building products distributors in the U.S., with strong Southeast and Midwest presence serving contractors. It directly competes with Best Supply for contractor share in Florida and other overlapping Southeast markets.
• Foundation Building Materials: Foundation Building Materials (FBM) is a specialty distributor of interior building products including drywall, metal framing, ceilings, insulation, and commercial doors — almost identical in product mix and customer profile to Best Supply, with a broader national footprint and prior public-company reporting.
• Lansing Building Products: Lansing Building Products is a national distributor of exterior and interior building products including drywall, metal framing, ceilings, insulation, and accessories serving contractors across the U.S. It is the closest direct peer to Best Supply given overlapping product portfolio, contractor customer base, and specialty distribution model.

Regional players

• Biewer Lumber: Biewer Lumber is a regional Midwest distributor of lumber, engineered wood, and related building products, listed as a Best Supply manufacturer/supplier partner. While primarily a competitor in lumber/framing categories, its Midwestern footprint mirrors Best Supply's geographic concentration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Best Supply