Don J. Locke (1923-2000), founder of Locke Supply Co., began work in the plumbing business in 1946 while attending the University of Oklahoma. He graduated in 1948 after serving 2 1/2 years in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Locke Supply Co. started on a shoestring budget in 1955 when Don and Wanda Locke opened a wholesale plumbing supply outlet in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. It was a mom-and-pop operation with no additional employees.

In late 1956 and early 1957, the Lockes moved their company to Oklahoma City. The marketing philosophy of taking the store to the customers began to develop when the second branch opened in 1958. Their customers quickly proved they liked this way of doing business and, today, there are more than 200 store locations in six states — Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Virginia — with a 45-acre distribution facility (soon to be 93 acres) to supply them all.

Don Locke’s initial vision and zeal have been the driving force behind making Locke Supply Co. the most progressive supply house in the Southwest.

Today, with nearly 1,600 employees, the distributor is a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) S-corporation. Prior to his passing, Don Locke had a dream of the associates owning the company; his dream was realized in 2000. 

From 1955 to today, Locke Supply maintains only the highest standards in the quality of merchandise and people.

The Wholesaler: Membership in a buying group provides access to valuable resources that support distributors in an ever-changing landscape. Can you share an example of how AD aided with a challenge you are or were facing? 

John Orman III, president and CEO, Locke Supply Co.: Vendor negotiations and management of vendor programs fall under both the challenge and need.

The Wholesaler: What AD tool or program was able to assist, how did it solve the problem and how long did it take to implement?

Orman: Multiple people and tools assist. For as long as we have been a member, the PHCP team responsible for vendor programs has been phenomenal. Couple that with the advances in reporting and the AD website, and you add value for every member. We are in our 12th year as an AD member and have witnessed invaluable improvements over that time.

The Wholesaler: What were the results?

Orman: For sure, there is a financial benefit to the programs negotiated on a collective behalf. Putting that aside, the importance for us is the time. 

For example, our purchasing agents’ time can be used on the handful of non-AD suppliers we must use, as well as other important internal initiatives. Our accounting department can count on the rebate reporting and its accuracy, and reduce its workload during audit season, allowing them to focus on other initiatives. That may not seem like a lot, but for us, it is substantial.