How to Start a Plumbing Wholesale Business in Kingsport Tennessee

Envision a store that serves the plumbing needs of both contractors and retailers.

Kingsport, Tennessee, is located within a 20-minute drive of two other cities, which comprise the Tri-Cities area of northeast Tennessee. Kingsport is also within a 45-minute drive of four additional cities with populations exceeding 30,000, so there are a number of retail stores and plumbing contractors that could be served by a wholesale plumbing business. Kingsport and its surrounding region has a host of homes, apartment complexes, commercial buildings and industrial sites that all require plumbing supplies. Both contractors and retail stores that a wholesale plumbing business would serve will want to keep up with that demand.

Things You'll Need

• Business location
• City of Kingsport wholesale business license
• Sullivan County wholesale business license
• Delivery truck

Instructions

1. Investigate the wholesale plumbing stores already located in Kingsport. Conduct research to see how a new competitor might offer better products or prices.

2. Obtain a wholesale business license at Kingsport City Hall on West Center Street by paying a $15 application fee. Visit the Sullivan County Courthouse in Blountville, the county seat, to obtain a wholesale business license as well. Allow three weeks for the processing and approval of both licenses.

3. Find a good location for the warehouse and receiving center, along with at least one delivery truck. Offer an accessible parking lot, comfortable catalog and ordering desk, and a friendly experience to guarantee repeat business. Create a wholesale store that others will talk about in a positive way with their associates in the plumbing business. Keep in mind that the best advertising comes from word-of-mouth advertising.

4. Create a store that buys competitively to get the lowest prices. Figure out ways to buy in bulk, purchase odd lots at closeout sales and buy directly from manufacturers at the lowest prices. Keep researching ways to sell items at slightly lower prices than any local competitors in the wholesale plumbing business. Look for ways to sell directly to other plumbing wholesalers already in business by acting as a broker.

5. Hire employees who understand plumbing very well. Look for workers who can discuss technical plumbing needs in everyday language, so they can assist contractors in making good choices. Advertise that helpful employees make the trip to the wholesale plumbing store worth it. Require employees to take continuing education classes to learn more over time.

6. Find ways to work directly with local plumbers. Help them bid for large contracting jobs they might not could otherwise afford. Extend higher credit to plumbers or contractors who have been in business for years. Help the plumbers find additional work by posting a bulletin board in the store for their business cards. Think about ways to help two or more plumbers team up for larger jobs, while offering wholesale products for the contracts at a reduced cost.

Tips & Warnings

• Do everything possible to serve the plumbing demands of the area. Advertise in ways that encourage retail suppliers and plumbing contractors to improve plumbing needs for their clientele.

• Increase sales for a wholesale business by encouraging installation of energy-efficient water tanks and water-efficient faucets.

References

• Steve Olson: 5 Steps to Start a Business and Purchase Wholesale
• Standard Plumbing Supply: Company Information
• Greensboro Plumbing Supply: The Green Initiative

Resources

• Idea Marketers: 3 Basic Steps to Starting Your Wholesale Business
• Better Business Bureau: Accredited Business Directory
• Plumbing Masters