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Our PhilosophyTo conduct our business with the highest integrity and character based on Christian principles which impact our everyday lives with our customers and our employees. Our MissionTo empower our employees in using our God given talents to exceed our customer’s expectations in providing total customer service, most timely deliveries and product knowledge which will enhance our value to our customers. Company ProfileShoemaker, Inc. was founded by Lawrence Shoemaker Sr. in 1955 as a heating, cooling and plumbing dealer. At that time all supplies were purchased from Consolidated Heating Supply which was a local wholesale business owned and operated by Mr. Thaney. However, upon the unexpected death of Mr. Thaney, Lawrence Shoemaker Sr. purchased the inventory and assets, which belonged to Mrs. Thaney, and moved the company to a building on 481 East 8th street – Holland, Michigan. The building had a total of 2400 square feet. In 1959 Lawrence Shoemaker Sr.’s son Jason became an employee to Shoemaker Inc. Two years later, Jason’s brother, Lawrence Shoemaker Jr., also joined the team. By 1965 an expansion was added to the building in Holland to facilitate the additional demand by Shoemaker contractor customers to handle additional product lines. The need to service an every growing customer base again predicated another expansion in which a second floor was added in 1975 to accommodate the growing company. In 1980 an additional building was added to the property at 481 East 8th Street to hold more inventory. In 1981 Shoemaker opened its first branch in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Six years later the Kalamazoo branch outgrew the building and 5,000 square feet were added. 1991 brought another opportunity for growth and change. The original building in Holland at 481 East 8th street could no longer contain the massive growth of inventory, so Shoemaker, Inc. designed and built a new facility of 38,000 square feet one mile north at 507 Chicago Drive. In addition, the summer of 1996 forced the completion of yet another expansion on this new building to 53,000 square feet. In March 1993 Shoemaker, Inc. purchased Valley Equipment with locations in Stevensville, Michigan, South Bend and Fort Wayne, Indiana. This event earmarked the beginning of a new generation of growth and expansion. The tremendous work ethic and commitment to service which Lawrence Shoemaker Sr. and his two sons had for the business were not lost. Jason Shoemaker and Larry Shoemaker Jr. were blessed with two sons each that shaped another generation of determination and hard work to share in the growth and success of Shoemaker, Inc. As young lads, Brothers Dave and Bob, along with brothers Steve and Dan had literally grown up with the business getting their start helping their dads work in the warehouse and the office. Consequently, it gave them the most complete experience from the ground up and more importantly, it allowed them an opportunity to meet the challenges of helping run a family business. Dave and Bob decided to make Shoemaker Supply a full-time venture in 1980 and 1982, respectively. Today, Dave is meeting the continuing challenge of leading our financial and computerization efforts. Bob heads up our technical services specializing in our hydronics effort and is in charge of new capital construction and building/truck maintenance. Larry’s sons, Steve and Dan also committed to full-time status in 1985 and 1992. Steve is our chief equipment marketing and dealer procurement manager and is heavily involved with our dealership contractors. Dan has assumed the responsibility of Shoemaker’s sales manager and IAQ promotions manager. By 1997, our newest ownership and management team was created by our current four Shoemaker partners as they purchased the assets from their retiring fathers, Jason and Larry Shoemaker. Looking for opportunities to expand a multi-branch, full-bodied HVACR wholesale business brought Shoemaker to a new market in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. In July of 1997 they opened our newest branch, our 6thth branch encompassing 9,000 square feet, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The news of Shoemaker commitment and service spread between Holland and Kalamazoo locations, and in no time necessitated a facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In July of 1999 Shoemaker opened up its 7th branch by moving into a 25,000 square foot facility on the south side of the city. Good service and commitment to inventory are the vehicles for expansion. Kalamazoo branch again added 10,000 square foot (second addition) in August of 2000 to give them 20,300 square feet of inventory space for a demanding customer base. Complementing the above addition , but not to be outdone, was the most recent opening in October of 2000 of a brand new location with 15,000 square feet plus of warehouse space in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. From its early beginnings with the wise and enthusiastic leadership from Lawrence Shoemaker, Sr., to our latest most experienced "hands-on" ownership team, Shoemaker is on track to become the leader in the HVACR wholesale market for the Midwest. As of January 1, 2001, seven locations to service our customers, four young innovative leaders, and nowhere to go but up! |
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