What Hubbard Supply does

Hubbard Supply Co. is a privately held, family-owned industrial MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) distributor founded in 1865 in Flint, Michigan. The company distributes more than 2,500 manufacturer lines and 3,000+ brands across product categories including abrasives, adhesives and sealants, cutting tools and metalworking, power tools, safety and PPE, electrical products, HVAC, material handling, hydraulics and pneumatics, welding, and pumps and filtration. It serves industrial customers in manufacturing (notably automotive, including EV battery-related work), fabrication, technical trades, and commercial construction across Michigan, northern Indiana, and northern Ohio.

The company's core technology is the hubbarddirect.com e-commerce platform, which provides two procurement modules: Point-of-Use (POU) for crib and stockroom management and Spot Buy for non-POU materials. Supporting software includes Point-of-Use, Crib Management, Vending and Application, Warranty and Repair, and Customer System Integration, enabling integrated supply and 3PIMM (Third Party Integrated Materials Manager) programs alongside physical vending solutions on customer shop floors. The company also acts as a 3M Premier Service Distributor with a dedicated 3M Certified Specialist on staff.

Hubbard generates revenue through one-time product sales (priced via nationally negotiated contracts and manufacturer suggested prices), recurring integrated supply and 3PIMM service programs, and value-added training and technical support services. Go-to-market combines field sales through five branch offices and regional sales representatives with self-service e-commerce ordering and access to over 200 partner distributors and 2,500+ stocking locations via the supplyFORCE National Accounts program. Buying group memberships in Affiliated Distributors (AD) and Edge Group provide nationally negotiated pricing leverage. The company is currently led by CEO Jeff Bigelow and COO Tim Brooks, who acquired it in 2007.

Name

Hubbard Supply

Legal name

Hubbard Supply Co.

Website

https://hubbardsupply.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hubbard Supply Co. is a privately held, family-owned industrial MRO distributor founded in 1865, serving manufacturing, technical trades, and commercial construction customers across Michigan, northern Indiana, and northern Ohio through five branch offices, two distribution centers, and its hubbarddirect.com e-commerce platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial MRO Distribution

NAICS

Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42384), Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42383), Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42361)

SIC

Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial MRO Supplies for Vehicle/Equipment Workshops (Bearings, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Fasteners) (TLAKAOAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial Supplies & MRO Marketplaces (CRAFAHAA)

Keywords

• Industrial MRO distribution
• Maintenance repair supplies
• Industrial safety equipment
• Cutting tools metalworking
• Procurement solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Flint

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. MRO Industrial Products Distribution: Hubbard Supply generates revenue through the sale of industrial maintenance, repair, and operational (MRO) products across 2,500+ manufacturer lines. Products include abrasives, fasteners, safety equipment, tools, electrical components, and general industrial supplies. Revenue is generated through direct product sales with pricing based on manufacturer suggested prices and negotiated national account pricing.
2. Integrated Supply & Program Services: Revenue from customized procurement programs including commodity management, integrated supply, 3PIMM (Third Party Integrated Materials Manager), point-of-use programs, and vending solutions. Services include inventory management, streamlined replenishment, automated transaction processing, and tailored procurement systems.
3. Training & Technical Support: Value-added services including product training, application training, process training, and technical support through local Hubbard representatives, manufacturer representatives, and engineering support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hubbard Supply distributes industrial maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products across 2,500+ manufacturer lines, including abrasives, fasteners, safety equipment, power tools, electrical components, cutting tools, and general industrial supplies. The company complements distribution with customized procurement programs such as integrated supply, point-of-use (POU) solutions, commodity management, 3PIMM (Third Party Integrated Materials Manager), vending solutions, and cost savings documentation. Customers access products through five branch offices, two distribution centers, eight partner distribution centers, and the hubbarddirect.com e-commerce platform.

Product overview

Hubbard Supply is an industrial distribution company offering a comprehensive e-commerce platform (hubbarddirect.com) alongside extensive physical product categories. The platform provides two modules: Point-of-Use (POU) for managing items at crib or point-of-use locations, and Spot Buy for purchasing non-crib materials. The product portfolio spans over 60 categories including Abrasives, Adhesives & Sealants, Cutting Tools & Metalworking, Power Tools, Safety & Security, Electrical Products, HVAC Products, Material Handling, Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Welding Equipment, and Pumps & Filtration. The company supplements its product offerings with service programs including Commodity Management, Integrated Supply, 3PIMM (Third Party Integrated Materials Manager), Vending Solutions, and Cost Savings Documentation. With access to more than 2,500 manufacturer lines and partnerships with major brands like 3M, Milwaukee Tool, LENOX, Stanley Black & Decker, and others, Hubbard Supply provides MRO materials and integrated procurement solutions primarily to the automotive, manufacturing, and technical trades industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hubbard Supply E-Commerce Platform (hubbarddirect.com)
• Abrasives
• Adhesives & Sealants
• Cutting Tools & Metalworking
• Power Tools
• Safety & Security Equipment
• Electrical Products
• HVAC Products
• Material Handling, Storage & Rigging
• Hydraulics & Pneumatics
• Welding & Soldering Equipment
• Pumps & Filtration
• Point-of-Use (POU) Program
• Integrated Supply Program
• Third Party Integrated Materials Manager (3PIMM) Program
• Vending Solutions
• Commodity Management
• Cost Savings Documentation

Quantifiable outcome

• Drastic reduction in vendors and transactions through integrated supply programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Affiliated Distributors (AD)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHubbard is a proud member of Affiliated Distributors (AD), the largest wholesale buying and marketing group in North America. AD provides companies like Hubbard with support and resources to accelerate growth, translating into buying power and market strength passed on to customers in the form of cost competitiveness and market-leading product innovation.
• Edge GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHubbard is a proud member of Edge Marketing and Procurement, a distributor-owned buying and marketing group with strength, expertise, inventory, and sales equivalent of national distributors in the industrial electronics, data communications and low voltage industries.
• supplyFORCEmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAs a member of the supplyFORCE National Accounts program, customers have access to over 200 different distributors with 2,500+ stocking locations in Electrical, Industrial, Safety, Pipe, Valves and Fittings, and Power Transmission and Bearings.
• Industrial Supply Association (ISA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Industrial Supply Association is the leading trade association for the MROP supply channel, providing education, networking, information and relationships that drive success for members and their customers.
• 3MmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a 3M Premier Service Distributor, Hubbard receives notice of the newest 3M products before the rest of the market, special promotions, and unique offers. They have a dedicated 3M Certified Specialist on their team who receives specialized product training at 3M headquarters.
• HDI (Service Provider)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHDI is the service provider partner in the 3PIMM (Third Party Integrated Materials Manager) program, working with Hubbard and customers to provide single source solution for all indirect procurement services and products.
• Strong Hold ProductsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong Hold Products partnered with Hubbard Supply to deliver custom EV battery workbenches for a Tier 1 Auto Manufacturer, demonstrating capability to develop customized solutions for complex customer requirements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Grainger: Grainger is the largest US industrial MRO distributor (KeepStock, online catalog, branch network). Directly comparable product breadth and end-customer base, but operates at national scale and is publicly traded, far larger than Hubbard.

Direct peers

• MSC Industrial: MSC Industrial is a leading US metalworking and MRO distributor serving manufacturing customers with a broad catalog, vending solutions, and integrated supply. Closely comparable business model, customer base, and program offerings to Hubbard.
• Fastenal: Fastenal is a national industrial supplier with deep OEM and industrial customer relationships, vending machines, and on-site locations. Comparable offerings in fasteners, safety, and integrated supply, though at much larger scale.
• Applied Industrial Technologies: Applied Industrial Technologies distributes bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and industrial rubber products to MRO and OEM customers. Comparable mid-market industrial distributor with overlapping product categories and customer segments.
• McMaster-Carr: McMaster-Carr is a leading catalog and e-commerce industrial supplier with a massive SKU base serving maintenance and manufacturing customers. Closely comparable in e-commerce-led MRO distribution and manufacturing customer base.
• Motion Industries: Motion Industries is a large industrial distributor of bearings, power transmission, electrical, and fluid power products, with a strong Michigan/Midwest presence. Directly comparable product mix and customer base to Hubbard.
• Kaman Industrial Technologies: Kaman Industrial Technologies was a regional industrial distributor of bearings, power transmission, and MRO products serving US manufacturing customers (acquired by Motion Industries in 2018). Highly comparable regional distributor model.

Regional players

• Wajax Industrial Components: Wajax is a Canadian-based industrial distributor of bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and material handling products. Comparable in product mix and integrated supply model, but serves primarily Canadian markets rather than Michigan.

Emerging players

• Metric Supply: Metric Supply and similar regional MRO e-commerce platforms (e.g., Danbro, BrownCor) compete with Hubbard in providing curated online industrial supply to Michigan and Midwest manufacturing customers. Comparable niche regional distributors.

Others

• Affiliated Distributors (AD): AD is the wholesale buying and marketing group of which Hubbard is a member, with over 200 distributor members and 2,500+ stocking locations. Not a competitor but a key partner and indirect indicator of comparable peer performance benchmarks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hubbardsupplyco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Hubbard Supply