Ruud Opens NJ PROSTOCK Storewith United Supply Co.

On Nov. 14, Ruud distributor United Supply Company opened a new PROSTOCK store location in Blackwood, N.J.

United Supply Company has been serving HVAC and plumbing trade customers in New Jersey since 1912, and this is the first PROSTOCK location that the company has opened with Ruud, part of the Rheem family of quality brands.

“We’ve been in business since my grandfather, Abraham Kantor, established United Supply Company 100 years ago, and we opened our first plumbing retail showroom in the 1970s. It’s natural that we’d try to do something with our HVAC products that feels more like a convenient, retail shopping experience,” said Steve Kantor, CEO, United Supply. “We’re excited that Ruud partnered with us to roll out the PROSTOCK store, which has proven to be a turnkey system for United Supply. We look forward to debuting additional PROSTOCK locations in 2013.”

These stores are designed to meet the needs of local contractors by
creating helpful, self-service retail showrooms.

PROSTOCK stores offer replacement parts directly from Rheem and Ruud, as well as aftermarket parts and supplies for professionals that install, maintain, and service HVAC and water heating equipment. These stores are designed to meet the needs of local contractors by
creating helpful, self-service retail showrooms. Kantor indicated that United Supply decided to pursue the PROSTOCK model in order to help customers more quickly purchase parts and supplies so they can get back to job sites faster.

Kantor also noticed that the visually appealing retail layout has helped educate customers about the full range of parts and products offered by United Supply.

“Customers have always been aware of our mainstay products, but now they notice items that often don’t get discussed as much—and that’s because they’re displayed much more effectively in the PROSTOCK format,” added Kantor. “Now, customers are buying products that they didn’t even know we carried, and they’re saving time by getting everything from one store.”

“Ruud has a longstanding relationship with United Supply Company—going back more than 50 years—and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the company to launch its first PROSTOCK store,” said Don Harter, vice president and general manager of Rheem Sales Company. “PROSTOCK’s bright, organized format is a modern approach to HVAC parts distribution, and it’s fitting that United Supply chose to employ this model as it marks
its 100-year anniversary”

The grand opening event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony
and giveaways for attendees. Attendance at the event held steady throughout the day, despite the fact that Superstorm Sandy impacted Blackwood and the surrounding communities.

“Ever since Superstorm Sandy made landfall, our teams have been busy trying to get the right replacement parts and products out to our contractor customers right away,” said Kantor. “The retail layout of the PROSTOCK store has helped exceed customer demands
because our contractors can quickly locate the products they need.”

As a 100-year old, third generation family business, United Supply remains committed to empowering its employees to be more entrepreneurial through training and decentralized management practices at each branch location. The company employes nearly 100 people, many of whom have been employed with United Supply for more than 30 years.

The Blackwood store is located at 1001 Lower Landing Road. Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional information can be found on United Supply
Company’s website, HERE.