R. A. Townsend Company

Name

R. A. Townsend Company

Legal name

R. A. Townsend Company

Website

https://ratownsend.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saginaw

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale distribution of plumbing, heating, and air conditioning products to plumbing and HVAC contractors, builders, and trade professionals throughout Michigan.
2. Retail Sales: Direct retail sales to homeowners and do-it-yourselfers through the Saginaw Kitchen & Bath Showroom. The company stocks over 15,000 SKUs and offers professional design assistance for kitchen and bath projects.
3. Professional Services: Professional design consultation services for kitchen and bath remodeling projects, including help with color and finish selections.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

R. A. Townsend Company is a wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, and air conditioning products serving Michigan contractors, builders, interior designers, and homeowners since 1962. The company stocks 15,000+ SKUs across three warehouse branches and operates a 5,000 sq ft Kitchen & Bath Showroom in Saginaw, providing trade supply, free contractor delivery, walk-in counter service, online ordering, and professional design consultation.

Product overview

R. A. Townsend Company is a wholesale plumbing, heating, and air conditioning products distributor serving Michigan since 1962, operating as a single unified distribution business with multiple product lines. The company stocks over 15,000 SKUs across three branch locations (Alpena, Burton, Warren) and a Saginaw Kitchen & Bath Showroom, offering a comprehensive product catalog featuring thousands of items. Their core offerings include kitchen and bathroom fixtures (sinks, faucets, toilets, bathtubs, showers, vanities) and HVAC products, distributed through an online ordering system and a 600+ page full-line product catalog. The company carries numerous branded products including Waterfall Euro Doors, ThermaSol steam showers, Strasser Woodenworks vanities, Speakman, Panasonic ventilation, Premier Copper Products, InSinkErator, Elkay, Bemis, Barclay, and AKER bathware, serving both residential and commercial markets through contractors, builders, and homeowners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plumbing & HVAC Wholesale Supply Distribution Wholesale distribution of plumbing, heating, and air conditioning products to plumbing and HVAC contractors, builders, kitchen & bath shops, and interior designers across Michigan. Stocking over 15,000 SKUs across 100,000 sq ft of warehousing at three branch locations with walk-in counters and free delivery.
• Saginaw Kitchen & Bath Showroom 5,000 square-foot Premier Plumbing Showroom in Saginaw, Michigan featuring working displays of kitchen and bath products, design consultation, and the latest innovations for homeowners, DIY customers, and referred trade professionals. Includes a 360° virtual showroom tour for remote engagement.
• Online Ordering System 24/7 online ordering platform at ratownsend.com/order for HVAC, hydronic, and plumbing products, with automated email order confirmation and backorder management options (backorder yes/no, backorder notice by email or phone, order problem notice).
• Full-Line Product Catalog 600+ page digital product catalog featuring thousands of plumbing, heating, and air conditioning products with model numbers, descriptions, engineering data, and warranty information, available as a 29MB PDF download for trade customers.
• Kitchen & Bath Design Consultation Professional design consultation for kitchen and bath remodeling projects, including help with color and finish selections, delivered through the Saginaw showroom's consultant team (with referral to design professionals for 3D visualization and full layout services).

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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 primary and core.

• KohlerprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKohler is a major brand partner. R. A. Townsend Company carries Kohler products including bathtubs, sinks, toilets, faucets, smart home technology (KOHLER Konnect), and steam generators (DTV+ showering system). The company highlights Kohler's Verdera Voice Lighted Mirror with voice assistant and Sensate faucet.
• Delta Faucet CompanyprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelta is a major brand partner. The company features Delta's Touch2O Technology for kitchen faucets that allows touch activation anywhere on the spout or handle, and TempSense LED light that changes color to indicate water temperature.
• MoenprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoen is a brand partner offering bathroom and kitchen faucets. The company features Moen's product lines and inspiration resources for design and planning.
• BrizocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrizo is featured as a high-end brand for kitchen and bath products. The Design Gallery showcases Brizo's high-end collections that push limits on design, craftsmanship, and innovation.
• ElkaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican-owned company since 1920, offering high-quality kitchen sinks and plumbing products. Elkay is noted as America's No. 1 selling kitchen sink company.
• InSinkEratorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries InSinkErator garbage disposals (iconic American appliance) and instant hot water dispensers for kitchens.
• ThermaSolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured brand for steam showers and smart shower products. ThermaSol has been redefining the modern shower experience for over 60 years, offering smart digital shower valves, touchscreen controls, and steam systems.
• AkercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAker by MAXX provides life-proof bathware designed to withstand construction and the test of time with high-quality materials and manufacturing excellence.
• BarclaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational decorative bath supplier since 1933. Offers bathtubs, unique sinks (wall-hung, pedestal, corner, farm-style, designer kitchen), pivoting drains, faucets, and high-tank toilets.
• SpeakmancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican company since 1869, engineered in Delaware. Speakman invented the modern-day shower and produces quality plumbing products and safety equipment.
• BemiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld's largest manufacturer of toilet seats since 1901, fourth generation family-owned. Known for innovations like JUST-LIFT hinges, STA-TITE Commercial Fastening System, Whisper-Close hinges, and Easy-Clean & Change hinges.
• AmerichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBath product manufacturer featured in the showroom for bathtubs and bathing solutions.
• BainUltracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium bath product manufacturer offering innovative bathing solutions.
• BascocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShower door manufacturer. The company features Basco's shower door finder tool for custom shower doors in any size, configuration, glass, or finish.
• Strasser WoodenworkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUSA-crafted bathroom vanities and furniture. Over 10,000 combinations available through collections including door styles, finishes, knobs, pulls, and countertop options. Current production turn-around time is 3-4 weeks.
• Premier Copper ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArtisan copper kitchen and bath products including copper sinks, bathtubs, fixtures, drains, tile, lighting, and accessories with quality construction and artisan technique from Mexico.
• Native TrailscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSustainable and artisan-crafted kitchen and bathroom products including copper and natural stone sinks.
• Waterfall Euro DoorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean-style shower doors designed and built by Westshore Glass & Mirror in Byron, Michigan. Features heavy 3/8 inch thick glass with high polished edges and solid brass/stainless hardware.
• Panasonic VentilationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorENERGY STAR certified exhaust fans for bathrooms - quiet, energy efficient, and easy to install with designs to compliment any décor.
• Electric MirrorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLighted mirrors and innovative mirror technology for bathrooms.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ferguson Enterprises: The largest U.S. distributor of plumbing, heating, and air conditioning products, serving contractors, builders, and homeowners through a national branch and showroom network. Directly comparable product categories (Kohler, Delta, Moen) and B2B-plus-showroom model make it R. A. Townsend's most relevant scaled peer.
• Winsupply: Cooperative-style wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and industrial supplies with 600+ local branch locations across the U.S. Highly comparable multi-location distribution model serving plumbing and HVAC contractors with similar SKU breadth.
• Johnstone Supply: HVAC-focused wholesale distributor with 350+ independently owned branch locations serving residential and light-commercial contractors. Comparable as a regional/multi-branch trade distributor operating in overlapping product categories with R. A. Townsend.
• Hajoca Corporation: Privately held, ~165-year-old U.S. plumbing, HVAC, and industrial pipe distributor operating 400+ locations nationwide. Closely comparable as a long-tenured, privately controlled distributor combining wholesale counter operations, kitchen/bath showrooms, and free delivery to trade customers.

Emerging players

• PlumbingSupply.com: Direct-to-consumer online retailer of plumbing and kitchen/bath products carrying many of the same brands (Kohler, Moen, Delta). Relevant as an emerging channel competitor for both DIY homeowners and small contractors that R. A. Townsend serves.

Regional players

• Keller Supply Company: Family-owned plumbing and kitchen/bath distributor with showrooms and branches across the Midwest and Mountain West. Comparable multi-generational, private regional distributor with overlapping product mix and showroom strategy.
• SPS Companies: Midwest-based plumbing, HVAC, and industrial products distributor operating multiple regional brands and showrooms. Comparable in scale, geography, and trade-plus-showroom model to R. A. Townsend.
• Plumb Supply Company: Family-owned plumbing and HVAC wholesale distributor based in Iowa with branches across the Midwest. Closely comparable regional, privately held distributor model serving trade professionals with kitchen/bath showrooms.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ratownsendcompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/r-a-townsend-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 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 R. A. Townsend Company