Cowls Building Supply
Cowls Building Supply is a 9th-generation family-owned full-line building materials retailer in Amherst, MA, selling lumber, decking, hardware, paint, windows, doors, and kitchen/bath products via a single showroom plus e-commerce platform to DIY homeowners and professional contractors across the Pioneer Valley region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersAmherst, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Cowls Building Supply does
Cowls Building Supply is a family-owned, full-line building materials retailer headquartered at 125 Sunderland Road in Amherst, Massachusetts, operating a single retail location supplemented by an e-commerce storefront carrying approximately 4,000 SKUs. The company traces its brand heritage to the Cowls family, among the first settlers of what is now North Amherst over 270 years ago, and is currently operated by 9th-generation owners Evan and Cinda Jones after being founded as a retail business by 8th-generation Paul C. Jones in 1980 following the 2010 closure of the family's sawmill operations.
The company's core product offering spans lumber and plywood, decking, building materials (insulation, roofing, cement boards, siding), nailguns and fasteners, hardware, power tools, and paint — supported by three dedicated showrooms (Kitchen & Bath Design Center, Windows & Doors Millwork Showroom, Benjamin Moore Paint Center) carrying premium brands such as Sierra Pacific Windows, Medallion, Omega, Fabuwood, TimberTech, Wolf Endurance Cabinetry, Makita, and Benjamin Moore. Service capabilities include free design drawings and job-site measurements within Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire MA counties, professional estimating and material takeoffs, a specialized delivery fleet (boom truck, Moffett, box truck with liftgate, flatbed) with free delivery to 12 local communities, charge accounts with Net 30 terms for contractors, online quote requests, and a 24/7 online payment portal.
Cowls monetizes through unit-priced retail sales of building materials, design and estimating professional services, recurring contractor charge-account revenue, and ancillary streams such as E-Gift Cards. Its go-to-market combines an in-store/showroom experience, a field outside-sales team for contractor accounts, a growing e-commerce channel, and community-based brand partnerships (Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Jimmy Fund, Boy Scouts). The customer base is bifurcated between DIY homeowners tackling renovations and small-to-mid-market professional contractors and remodelers, all served within a defined three-county Pioneer Valley service area.
Cowls Building Supply firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cowls Building Supply
- Legal name
- Cowls Building Supply
- Website
- https://cowlsbuildingsupply.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cowls Building Supply is a 9th-generation family-owned full-line building materials retailer in Amherst, MA, selling lumber, decking, hardware, paint, windows, doors, and kitchen/bath products via a single showroom plus e-commerce platform to DIY homeowners and professional contractors across the Pioneer Valley region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cowls Building Supply industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Building Materials Retail
- NAICS
- Home Centers (444110), Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (444), Building Material and Supplies Dealers (4441), Hardware Retailers (44414)
- SIC
- Retail-Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers (5211), Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sheet Goods & Panels Retail (Drywall, Cement Board, Sheathing) (CRAIAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Electrical Supplies Retail (Wiring, Switches, Breakers, Conduit) (CRAIADAE)
Keywords
Where Cowls Building Supply is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amherst
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cowls Building Supply business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Retail Building Materials Sales: The company generates revenue through direct sales of building materials including lumber, hardware, tools, paint, windows, doors, and building supplies. Products are sold both in-store and through their e-commerce platform with approximately 4,000 SKUs available online.
- Design Services: Kitchen & Bath design services including free design drawings and job site measurements for projects in their service area (Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire, MA counties).
- Account/Credit Sales: Business customers can apply for charge accounts with monthly statements and Net 30 payment terms, providing recurring revenue from contractor relationships.
- Gift Cards: E-Gift Cards sold online that can be redeemed in-store or on the website.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing for building materials |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Cash Account - Pay upfront with no credit check |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Charge Account - Credit-based terms for businesses |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Cowls Building Supply product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cowls Building Supply is a 9th generation family-owned building materials retailer that sells lumber, plywood, decking, hardware, power tools, paint, windows, and doors across its retail storefront in Amherst, MA and e-commerce platform. The company operates dedicated Kitchen & Bath Design, Windows & Doors Millwork, and Benjamin Moore Paint showrooms and offers professional design drawings, job site measurements, material estimating, and specialized local delivery.
Product overview
Cowls Building Supply is a family-owned building materials retailer offering a comprehensive portfolio of construction and home improvement products through multiple channels (in-store showrooms and online e-commerce). The core offering spans seven main product categories: Decking (Cedar, Timbertech composite, Pressure Treated), Lumber & Plywood (Framing, Engineered LVL, Hardwoods, Pressure Treated), Building Materials (Insulation, Roofing, Hardware, Cement Boards), Nailguns/Nails/Accessories, Hardware Store (2,300+ items), Power Tools (Makita, Paslode), and Paint & Sundries. The company differentiates through specialized design showrooms: a Kitchen & Bath Design Center (offering cabinetry from Medallion, Omega, Fabuwood, 802, Wolf brands plus countertops from major manufacturers) and a Windows & Doors Millwork Showroom (featuring Sierra Pacific Windows and doors from Therma-Tru, JELD-WEN, Simpson). Service capabilities include Local Delivery (with specialized fleet for various load types), Professional Estimating/Takeoff services, Online Quote Requests, and 24/7 Online Payment Portal. The company sells approximately 4,000 SKUs online with continuous expansion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Decking
- Lumber & Plywood
- Building Materials
- Nailguns, Nails & Accessories
- Hardware Store
- Power Tools
- Paint & Sundries
- Kitchen & Bath Design Showroom
- Windows & Doors Showroom (Millwork)
- Benjamin Moore Paint Center
Companies that use Cowls Building Supply
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cowls Building Supply technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Cowls Building Supply partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)coreCowls Building Supply is a proud member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), reflecting their commitment to industry excellence, professional design standards, and ongoing education in kitchen and bath innovation.
- Sierra Pacific WindowscoreCowls now offers Sierra Pacific Windows, featuring sustainability through their Seed-to-Window approach and cutting-edge glazing technology for greater thermal efficiency. Sierra Pacific is the only window company with complete vertical integration.
- Benjamin MoorecoreCowls Building Supply is a local Benjamin Moore dealer offering a full range of high-quality interior and exterior paints, stains, and primers including Aura, Regal Select, and ben product lines.
- TimberTechcoreTimberTech composite decking products sold at Cowls including Edge Premium and other decking lines with accessories.
- MakitacoreMakita power tools available including nailguns, brad nailers, finish nailers, and other construction tools.
- Wolf Endurance CabinetryminorSturdy aluminum outdoor cabinetry for demanding areas such as decks, patios, garages, and mudrooms now available for order.
- 802 CabinetryminorQuality cabinet brand available at Cowls Kitchen & Bath Design Center.
- Medallion CabinetryminorPremium cabinet brand featured in the Kitchen & Bath showroom.
- Omega CabinetryminorQuality cabinet brand available at the Kitchen & Bath Design Center.
- FabuwoodminorCabinet brand available in the Kitchen & Bath showroom.
- WoodProminorCabinet brand available at Cowls.
- Matthews Brothers WindowsminorWindows from Matthews Brothers featured in the Millwork Showroom.
- Therma-Tru DoorsminorTherma-Tru door products available in the Windows & Doors Showroom.
- Simpson Door CompanyminorQuality doors available through Cowls Millwork Showroom.
- Summerspace Porch EnclosuresminorPorch enclosure products for year-round comfort and protection.
- Habitat for HumanityminorCommunity partnership supporting local Habitat for Humanity projects and events.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire CountyminorAnnual Daffodil Run sponsorship and community support.
- Amherst Survival CenterminorAnnual Hike for Hunger event sponsorship.
- Jimmy FundminorCommunity cancer research fundraising support.
- Boy Scouts of AmericaminorSupport for local Boy Scouts programs and initiatives.
- National Retail Lumber Association (NRLA)minorMember of the National Retail Lumber Association representing building materials retailers.
- Home Builders Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts (HBRAWM)minorMember of HBRAWM for industry networking and advocacy.
- Amherst Area Chamber of CommerceminorProud member of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.
- The Mill DistrictminorLocated in The Mill District of North Amherst, the newest developing experiential community in the area.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Cowls Building Supply competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lowe's: Second-largest U.S. home improvement retailer with pro-focused Lowe's for Pros program, full assortment of lumber, building materials, paint, and kitchen/bath offerings. Operates within Cowls' regional market and competes aggressively on price and contractor credit terms.
- True Value: Member-owned hardware cooperative of independent retailers serving contractors and DIY customers across the U.S. Many True Value retailers operate with same format, brand mix, and customer profiles as Cowls, making it a direct format/competitive comparable despite national reach.
- ABC Supply Co. Largest U.S. wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, windows, and exterior building products serving contractors. Competes with Cowls' Windows & Doors and roofing categories on assortment depth and contractor pricing.
- Ferguson Enterprises: Largest U.S. distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and waterworks products with a growing presence in kitchen/bath showrooms. Competes with Cowls Kitchen & Bath Design Center on premium fixtures, cabinetry, and contractor supply.
- The Home Depot: Largest U.S. home improvement retailer with Home Depot Pro contractor program, full assortment of lumber, building materials, paint, tools, and kitchen/bath categories. Operates multiple stores within and around the Pioneer Valley region, directly competing with Cowls on assortment and price.
- BMC Stock Holdings: One of the largest U.S. distributors of lumber, millwork, and building products serving pro builders and remodelers. Provides a comparable lumber-and-millwork distribution model that competes with Cowls on the contractor side of the market.
- Do it Best: Member-owned hardware, lumber, and building materials cooperative serving independent retailers across the U.S. Member stores often operate with a similar full-line, contractor-and-DIY-serving model as Cowls.
- Ace Hardware: Cooperative of independent hardware and home improvement retailers with thousands of locations. Local Ace dealers overlap with Cowls' product categories (hardware, paint, tools, plumbing) and customer segments, making it a broad incumbent in Cowls' competitive set.
Direct peers
- Curtis Lumber: Family-owned, full-line lumber and building materials retailer based in Ballston Spa, NY, with multiple retail locations across upstate New York and Vermont. Operates a comparable model — lumber, hardware, kitchen/bath design showrooms, and contractor services — to Cowls' Pioneer Valley footprint.
- Aubuchon Hardware: Family-owned, New England-based chain of hardware and building supply stores operating a similar multi-generational, full-line independent retailer model with contractor and DIY customer segments. Headquartered in Westminster, MA, Aubuchon competes directly with Cowls in the broader Pioneer Valley/Western Massachusetts market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cowls Building Supply social profiles
Digital presenceCowls Building Supply financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cowls Building Supply leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Cowls Building Supply funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cowls Building Supply 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 Cowls Building Supply
What does Cowls Building Supply do?
Cowls Building Supply is a 9th generation family-owned building materials retailer that sells lumber, plywood, decking, hardware, power tools, paint, windows, and doors across its retail storefront in Amherst, MA and e-commerce platform. The company operates dedicated Kitchen & Bath Design, Windows & Doors Millwork, and Benjamin Moore Paint showrooms and offers professional design drawings, job site measurements, material estimating, and specialized local delivery.
Is Cowls Building Supply a public or private company?
Cowls Building Supply is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Cowls Building Supply founded?
Cowls Building Supply was founded in 1980. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cowls Building Supply based?
Cowls Building Supply is headquartered in Amherst, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cowls Building Supply make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Retail Building Materials Sales are the primary driver. The others are design Services, account/Credit Sales and gift Cards.
Who are Cowls Building Supply's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lowe's, True Value, ABC Supply Co., Ferguson Enterprises, The Home Depot, BMC Stock Holdings, Do it Best and Ace Hardware. Direct peers are Curtis Lumber and Aubuchon Hardware.
Does Cowls Building Supply have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cowls Building Supply.
What industry is Cowls Building Supply in?
Cowls Building Supply's product category is Building Materials Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAEAB, Sheet Goods & Panels Retail (Drywall, Cement Board, Sheathing), with a secondary code of CRAIADAE, Electrical Supplies Retail (Wiring, Switches, Breakers, Conduit). Its NAICS code is 444110 and its SIC code is 5211.