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History of Ward Supply Company
Ward Supply Company, Inc. is a wholesale distributor of heating, air conditioning and ventilating, parts, supplies and equipment. The customer base includes businesses and contractors engaged in the service, installation and resale of materials purchased from suppliers like Ward Supply. Currently operating from three locations, Syracuse, Canandaigua, and headquarters in Rochester, New York, Ward Supply has earned a significant market share by supplying products and services using a strategy of inventory availability, exceptional product knowledge and value added services.
Ward Supply Company was founded by Leon Ward in the 1950's. Lee Ward acquired an existing supplier of cast iron furnaces and boilers and incorporated in 1952 as Ward Heating Supply Company, Inc.. Continual growth was the trend through the post-war expansion in the Rochester market through the 1950's and 1960's. During the 1960's, Lee Ward expanded the product offering to include supply items as prefabricated sheet metal fittings, hydronic heating radiation and pumps, temperature controls, humidifiers, air cleaners, filters, and a wide array of products relative to the HVAC industry. The company's personnel base grew from just a handful to 13 by 1970. The criterion for hiring was a knowledgeable background of the fast developing heating and air conditioning field. Lee Ward had great skill in recognizing key members of the industry and had an employment policy that lured quality people.
In 1968 Angelo Campisi joined the company as an inside sales person. Angelo had seen many years and many customers previously from a large supplier who went out of business. Angelo's strengths in the market brought in another period of strong growth through the post Vietnam years of the 1970's.
During this period of economic restructuring Ward Supply maintained the momentum of growth and added products, employees and customers. By 1978 Ward Supply had gained a reputation of quality and value in its products, people and services to its customers. Employee benefits and quality of work programs kept the company strong. In fact, nine of the employees from 1978 were still employed at the company toward a total of 33 in 1993.
Also in 1978, Terry Ward, son of Lee Ward was promoted to vice president. Hired in 1976 after college, Terry came through the ranks of warehouse work, truck driving, and inside sales. Terry's strengths were in product applications, marketing programs and negotiations with suppliers.
Upon announcing his retirement in 1981 Lee Ward sold the company to Angelo Campisi and Terry Ward.
The company enjoyed sustained growth throughout the 1980's. The first remote sales office and warehouse was opened in 1987 in Canandaigua, New York. The branch, with four employees, helped the company develop capabilities in multi-branch operations. The Prism computer system, installed in 1985, was instrumental in making this conversion to branch sales techniques using a centralized warehouse and administrative headquarters in Rochester. The Syracuse branch was opened in 1990.
The addition of the Trane Brand in 1992 added to the growth and potential of the company. Trane granted Ward Supply the central New York region which encompasses 22 counties from Rochester east to Utica. The American Standard Brand was added in 1995. This presented a dual line strategy to achieve greater market share potential in the central and western New York markets.
In 1995, Angelo Campisi, retired from the corporation and sold his stock to the current president, Terry Ward. Terry’s leadership has brought about many changes to the organizational philosophy within the company, focusing on employee empowerment and teamwork to meet customer service objectives.
Ward Supply continues to maintain its reputation for quality products and exceptional technical support the Upstate New York market.
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