Commercial Supply Co.

What Commercial Supply Co. does

Commercial Supply Co. is a privately held wholesale and retail distributor of tools, textiles, packaging, safety/PPE, and janitorial supplies, founded in 1948 and headquartered at 1244 2nd Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. The company operates a dual-product model: (1) resale of professional-grade tools from national brands including Milwaukee, STIHL, Marshalltown, Klein Tools, Empire, Corona, Diablo, Kraft Tool Co., Simpson Strong-Tie, Rust-Oleum, Occunomix, PIP USA, and VelociWrapper; and (2) custom and stock textile products including burlap, canvas, cotton, mesh bags, FIBC bulk poly bags, and woven polypropylene bags. Its textile arm uses in-house industrial Union Special sewing machines to fabricate custom-sized bags, drawstring bags, paving covers, and specialty textile products for construction, agriculture, landscaping, and industrial customers.

The firm runs a Shopify-based e-commerce storefront (commercialsupply.co) alongside its physical retail location, with nationwide shipping via UPS Ground, free shipping on orders over $200, local Des Moines delivery, and quote-based custom orders. Under new ownership since October 2020 with Brad Lilienthal as president, the company continues to emphasize its 75+ year domain expertise and Central Iowa contractor relationships as core differentiators.

The revenue model is transactional one-time product sales (no subscriptions), with unit pricing on individual SKUs and bulk discounts for larger quantities. Customer segments span contractors and construction companies (primary), agriculture and farming operations, industrial and manufacturing, landscaping and municipal operations, and individual consumers and small businesses. Customer concentration appears low at the named-account level, but the overall scale is small, with the company employing between 1 and 10 people and operating from a single retail/warehouse footprint in Des Moines.

Name

Commercial Supply Co.

Legal name

Commercial Supply Co.

Website

https://commercialsupply.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Commercial Supply Co. is a 1948-founded Des Moines, Iowa distributor and custom textile fabricator selling tools, safety/PPE, burlap, canvas, cotton, FIBC bulk bags, and custom-sewn textile products to contractors, farmers, industrial buyers, and individuals via a Shopify e-commerce site and retail store.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Supplies and Custom Textile Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Textile Product Mills (3149)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Textiles, Fabrics, Trims & Components Suppliers (CRAAAAAL)

Keywords

• Custom textile manufacturing
• Construction tools supply
• Bulk burlap bags
• Industrial sewing services
• Janitorial supplies wholesale

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: The company generates revenue through the sale of tools, textiles (burlap, canvas, cotton, mesh bags), safety products, and custom-manufactured textile products. Sales occur through e-commerce, phone orders, and in-store purchases. Most products are sold at unit prices with bulk discounts available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Commercial Supply Co. manufactures and distributes custom textiles (burlap, canvas, cotton, mesh, and woven polypropylene bags and covers) and resells professional tools, construction, safety, and janitorial supplies from brands such as Milwaukee, STIHL, Marshalltown, and Klein Tools. In-house industrial sewing using Union Special machines supports custom-sized textile fabrication for contractors, farmers, and industrial buyers. Sales occur through a Shopify storefront, phone orders, in-store pickup, and nationwide UPS Ground shipping.

Product overview

Commercial Supply Co. is a B2B/B2C wholesale and retail distributor of tools and textiles operating since 1948. The company offers a dual product portfolio: (1) Professional tools including Milwaukee, STIHL, Marshalltown, Klein Tools, Corona, Empire, and Diablo power/hand tools along with safety/PPE equipment; and (2) Industrial and agricultural textiles including burlap, canvas, cotton, mesh bags, FIBC bulk poly bags, and woven polypropylene bags. The company also provides custom industrial sewing services using Union Special machines to fabricate custom-sized bags, covers, and specialty textile products for construction, agriculture, and landscaping applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Burlap Products Burlap fabric, bags, and rolls made from natural jute fiber for agricultural, construction, and erosion control applications. Includes custom-sewn paving covers, nursery covers, and drawstring bags.
• Canvas Products Heavy-duty, water-resistant canvas fabric used for custom bags, drop cloths, tarps, and home goods, available in 7-ounce and 10-ounce weights.
• Cotton Products Cotton fabric and bags including wholesale cotton bags, storage bags, and custom cotton drawstring bags for agricultural and industrial use.
• Mesh Bags Polypropylene mesh bags in various sizes and colors for storage of produce, shellfish, firewood, and clothing, featuring open weave for visibility and breathability.
• FIBC Bulk Poly Bags Flexible intermediate bulk containers (bulk bags) with capacities from 2,200 to 4,000 lbs, available in coated and uncoated fabric, U-panel, circular, and 4-panel constructions with various top and bottom configurations.
• Woven Polypropylene Bags Durable woven polypropylene bulk bags for storage and transport of construction materials, aggregates, industrial chemicals, and hazardous waste.
• Milwaukee Tools Professional-grade Milwaukee power tools, hand tools, and accessories including M18 FUEL cordless systems, construction supplies, safety/PPE products, blades, bits, and batteries.
• Marshalltown Tools Masonry and concrete tools founded in 1890 in Marshalltown, Iowa, including trowels, floats, levels, and other professional-grade construction implements.
• STIHL Outdoor Power Equipment STIHL outdoor power equipment including chainsaws, trimmers, and blowers for professional and residential use.
• Klein Tools Professional electrical tools and hand tools including pliers, tape measures, and tool accessories.
• Empire Layout and Measuring Tools Construction layout tools including levels, tape measures, marking/measuring instruments, string lines, and flagging tape, featuring TRUE BLUE products including Monovial, Torpedo Level, and Magnetic Level.
• Corona Tools Professional landscaping and outdoor tools including shovels, spades, and related implements for professionals and homeowners.
• Rust-Oleum Products Protective paints and coatings for home and industrial use, including marking paints and cold galvanizing compound.
• Safety Products (PPE) Personal protective equipment including cut-resistant gloves, rigger gloves, leather drivers, hard hats, safety glasses, hi-vis vests, respirators, and first aid kits.
• Custom Industrial Sewing Services Custom fabrication of textile products using industrial Union Special sewing machines, including custom-sized burlap, canvas, and cotton bags; drawstring bags; paving covers; and specialty textile products tailored to customer specifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 75 years serving customers since 1948
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Uline: Uline is the largest direct distributor of industrial packaging in North America, with deep product overlap in FIBC bulk bags, woven polypropylene sacks, and mesh bags—categories that are flagship lines for Commercial Supply's packaging business.

Broad incumbents

• Fastenal: Fastenal distributes fasteners, tools, and industrial supplies to contractors and OEMs through branches and digital channels, sharing Commercial Supply's contractor-first distribution DNA.
• Ace Hardware: Ace Hardware is the largest cooperative of independent hardware retailers with a contractor-focused Pro program—a similar hybrid retail/wholesale supplier model serving contractors with tools, supplies, and custom orders.
• MSC Industrial Direct: MSC Industrial is a broad-line industrial MRO distributor serving metalworking and industrial customers with tools, safety, and supplies, overlapping Commercial Supply's industrial contractor and tool-distribution profile.
• Lawson Products: Lawson Products is a smaller industrial MRO distributor offering parts, supplies, and safety products to contractors and industrial customers—a more directly comparable scale and customer profile than the largest broad-line distributors.
• McMaster-Carr: McMaster-Carr is a leading industrial supply catalog and e-commerce retailer offering tools, raw materials, and industrial products to U.S. businesses—an online analog for the contractor and industrial customer Commercial Supply serves.
• Tractor Supply Co. Tractor Supply is the largest U.S. rural-lifestyle retailer, serving farmers, contractors, and rural property owners with tools, fencing, and farm supplies—overlapping Commercial Supply's agricultural and contractor base.
• Northern Tool + Equipment: Northern Tool + Equipment is a multi-channel retailer of tools and equipment for contractors, tradesmen, and serious DIYers, with overlapping category presence in Milwaukee, STIHL, and contractor-grade tools.
• W.W. Grainger: Grainger is the largest U.S. industrial MRO distributor, selling tools, safety equipment, and maintenance supplies to contractors and industrial buyers nationwide—directly overlapping with Commercial Supply's contractor and industrial customer segments.

Regional players

• Rural King: Rural King is a farm, ranch, and home supply retailer concentrated in the Midwest, directly overlapping Commercial Supply's Central Iowa agricultural customer base on tools, fencing, and rural merchandise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/commercialsupplyco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/commercial-supply-co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Commercial Supply Co.