Industrial Supply Corporation (ISC) was formed in 1933 in Richmond, Virginia, when Sutton-Dickerson Hardware Company was purchased at a creditor's sale by a group of neighboring businessmen. ISC operated from Sutton-Dickerson's location at 1434 East Main Street until 1939 when the owners sold controlling interest in the company to Lloyd Mize and Sam Nunnally. Both men were affiliated with James McGraw, Inc., and soon after the purchase, Mr. Mize was elected president of Industrial Supply.

15th & Franklin Streets
Circa 1944

Industrial Supply moved to a much larger building at the corner of 15th and Franklin Streets in 1944. Growth and sales continued at a rapid pace and due to the construction of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike in 1956, Industrial Supply moved to its current headquarters at 1905 Westwood Ave.

Richmond, VA
Circa 1950

In February of 1962, the first branch of Industrial Supply was opened in Lynchburg to better serve customers in that area of Virginia.

Groundbreaking for
Current Headquarters, 1956

On April 1, 1978, J.W. Crowell, Jr. and John Lloyd purchased Lloyd Mize's stock in the company. Mr. Crowell became president and treasurer, and Mr. Lloyd was named executive vice president. In 1988, Mr. Crowell was named chairman, and Mr. Lloyd became president of the company.

Current Headquarters
Richmond, Virginia

Another important milestone in the company's history occurred in 1994 when Mize Supply Company of Waynesboro, Virginia (also once owned by Lloyd Mize), along with its branches in Covington and Roanoke, merged with Industrial Supply Corporation. At this time, Mr. Douglas Lambert became president of the company and Mr. Douglas Sims was named vice president.

In 1996, Industrial Supply Corporation purchased The Henry Walke Company, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. The Henry Walke Company was founded in 1884 and held a reputation as a premier distributor. The merger of these two very strong industrial suppliers provides a unique business foundation from which the company now operates.

In October 2002, Industrial Supply Corporation acquired the distribution business of Transmission Products and in April 2006, acquired the C. Arthur Weaver Company. These acquisitions unified three of Virginia's oldest distributors and brought together a wealth of experience and product knowledge to enhance our product and service offerings in the marketplace, and allow us to provide unprecedented customer support.

Today, Industrial Supply Corporation is headed by Mr. Douglas Sims and has Virginia locations in Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, and Waynesboro, along with locations in Wilson and High Point, North Carolina.

This growth, along with new, young ownership participating in management, has set the stage for future expansion and continuation of the ideals on which ISC was founded.

Industrial Supply Corporation credits its long success to an excellent staff, a loyal customer base, and an established reputation for representing the most highly respected manufacturers in the industry and for providing unsurpassed quality service.