When business partners George Sudderth and Mark Summerville founded GLS Supply in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2001, they had a combined 60 years of experience in the plumbing supply industry. Back then, its customer base consisted mainly of local plumbers.
Today, there are additional locations in Huntsville and Cullman, all serving as trusted resources for homeowners, plumbing professionals, builders, and interior designers. Its showrooms display a large selection of the most trusted and sought-after kitchen and bath fixtures for every type of project, whether commercial or residential.
George and Mark still have a hand in the business, and their family members oversee the day-to-day operations, making it a true family-owned-and-operated company. George's daughter, Kelly Easley, is the payroll manager and handles employee benefits, payroll, and accounting, and his daughter, Lisa Hall, handles all the marketing details, including social media and the website. Her husband, Joseph Hall, is one of the outside salesmen.
Two of Mark’s sons are also involved. Kyle is the branch manager of the Birmingham store; he and Kelly will share responsibility for managing GLS Supply as a whole. Ryan is the branch manager of the Huntsville location, while his wife, Savannah, is the office manager. George’s brother, Sam, is the branch manager and a partner in the Cullman location.
Since opening its doors 25 years ago, one thing has stayed the same: its sole focus on serving both professionals and homeowners with high-quality plumbing supplies. “We don't carry lighting, cabinets, countertops, or appliances,” says showroom director Michelle Jackson. “We want to do one thing—plumbing—and be the best in the business for that one thing."
“We make sure that our staff is educated because we want people to be happy with the products they're buying,” she says. “We send them to the manufacturers for training. They get to go through the plants and see how things are made. This has led to an expertise that the big box stores cannot match.”
When customers come in, they’re not on their own. The staff has the knowledge to help them choose the right products for their needs to create their vision, whether that includes kitchen sinks, touch faucets, instant hot faucets, freestanding tubs, or bidet toilets.
Customers love the option to come into the showrooms and handle the products for themselves, something that cannot be done online. “It's difficult to buy something that you’re investing in without seeing and touching it, and that’s the purpose of showrooms.”
She adds, “We have lots of freestanding bathtubs on display, because people want to get in them and see how they're going to feel.” Some customers may be searching for a soaking tub, while others may have a skin condition or aches and pains that need water therapy. Its staff can recommend the right tub for any condition.
“One of our jobs is to ask customers how they want to use the product and what benefits they're looking to get out of the product, so that we know what to recommend. There are tubs that pump oxygen into the water to help with skin issues.”
There's one tub called the Marquis by Hydro Systems that they keep on display in all locations. “It's one of the most comfortable tubs because it has a lumbar support,” says Michelle. “Once people get into this tub, nothing else is going to compare.”
Large walk-in showers with extra features, such as rainheads and body sprays, are very popular, but customers often focus on the big picture rather than those all-important details. “You can create the most wonderful shower, but if you don't have sufficient hot water, it’s not going to work the way it is expected,” she says. “We always try to suggest a tankless water heater and make sure we size it properly for the fixtures that they have in the house.”
Customers appreciate this guidance. Otherwise, they might end up with a product that doesn't work in their home the way they want, leading to major disappointment and a delay in using it.
Many people have been coming in for years, and the relationships with their customers and manufacturers are another reason for the business's long-term success. “We have helped customers build their dream houses on Smith Lake, or fix problems with their existing houses,” says Michelle. “We also help customers who want to prepare their homes to sell.”
GLS Supply attracts many custom home builders to its showrooms because it offers the luxury products their clients expect at competitive prices. Some of the most popular and high-end brands include Waterstone™ Kitchen & Bath, House of Rohl®, TOTO, Brizo, Newport Brass, Franke, MTI Bath Products, Hydro Systems, Lacava, and Colonial Bronze.
“The high-end products aren't for everyone, but we can provide anything and everything for every customer budget,” she says.
When contemplating your next kitchen and bath project, stop into one of their showrooms for advice and products to help you create a space that you will love for many years to come.
GLSSupply.com
History of GLS Supply:
May 2001: George Sudderth and Mark Summerville open GLS Supply at the corner of Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N (old 10th Ave N) in Birmingham, Alabama.
August 2009: The Huntsville location opens, boasting one of the largest inventories in the Huntsville-Athens-Madison-Decatur area.
December 2019: The Cullman location, run by Sam Sudderth, opens its doors.
“It's difficult to buy something that you’re investing in without seeing and touching it, and that’s the purpose of showrooms.”