PDI Kitchen, Bath & Lighting commemorates 50 years as a family-owned business today, June 1, which the company recognizes as its Founder's Day. In 1973, Glad Mealor and his brother-in-law Ronald Pratt founded the original business, then known as Plumbing Distributors Inc. The company's presence has since grown across three states and more than 20 locations.

PDI was born out of a passion for identifying and fulfilling the needs of customers while providing first-class service. Pratt, Mealor, and his son Sid began operations in a 3,000 square-foot warehouse in Lawrenceville, Ga. with a focus on counter sales and delivery of plumbing products. Today, the company is recognized as an industry leader in wholesale distribution and as a vibrant kitchen, bath, and lighting retailer.

"Fifty years ago, our founders started a small business because they cared about meeting the needs of their customers," said Coley Herrin, president and CEO of PDI Kitchen, Bath & Lighting. "Even though we have expanded considerably into new markets and segments, with a robust retail and online presence, I am proud to say that commitment to our customers remains a top priority at PDI today."

PDI is a leading wholesale distributor and retailer providing quality kitchen, bath, and lighting products in the Southeastern United States. The independently-owned company has experienced record growth in the past 30 years, operating 19 branch locations and 11 showrooms and two Kohler Signature Stores by PDI across Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

"It has been amazing to watch what began as a small, local family business flourish into the company that PDI is today," said Lyn Wright, daughter of founder Glad Mealor and executive director of PDI's board of directors. "The business has seen such incredible success in the last 50 years, and our family is grateful to the leadership for continuing to carry out the tradition and values set forth by my father and my uncle."

The company employs more than 400 people and continues to flourish through a combination of successful partnerships, acquisitions, and a commitment to its core values of accountability, commitment, flexibility, integrity, loyalty, and teamwork. Earlier this year, PDI unveiled a refreshed brand identity and e-commerce website that will help shepherd the company into its next phase of growth and expansion.