Company History
Dallas-based All-Tex Pipe & Supply reflects all the values of an independent, privately-held PVF distributor. Founded in 1973 by Jim Brock, a former top executive with American Standard's Amstan Supply Division, All-Tex has been committed to pipe, valves, and fittings from the start. Supported by his wife Rosie, who handled the finances and administration of the company, Brock built his original customer base on local mechanical contractors whom he had gotten to know while with Amstan. Two of their original employees, Mike and Sonny Coltharp, continued as mainstays for the company until Sonny retired in 2002. Mike still serves as Senior Vice President - Sales to this day.
Tragically, Jim Brock died only four years after the company was founded, succumbing to terminal cancer. Rosie, who became the chairman and sole owner, rejected the idea of disbanding, and together with Sonny and Mike, put the business on solid footing. She retired in 1998.
Still in college at the time of her father's death, Jill was not convinced that PVF distribution was her destiny in life. But after graduating cum laude from Texas Tech in just seven semesters with a BA in Marketing, working outside this industry and a year of studying law at Southern Methodist University, she did some soul-searching and took the plunge in 1983. She decided early on that she needed to know the business from the ground up. She also knew that a strategic plan was necessary if All-Tex was to move forward. Because it was still a fledgling business, the company operated green and lean. So Jill spent the first six months observing and working with office personnel during the mornings before changing into her blue jeans and handling warehouse duties in the afternoons. After completing a plumbing course, overseeing the computerization of all functions, and moving the physical location to a new site, she moved into outside sales and then administration before becoming President in 1989.
Boosted by a surging Dallas economy, Jill began strategizing to get All-Tex involved in the massive construction efforts, and the company slowly added employees where needed. She began hiring key management personnel with specific areas of expertise (several from outside the industry) that strengthened the company's focus. In the mid-1980s, All-Tex served an active customer base of 80; that number rose to more than 500 by the late 1990s and the company now counts 1,300 active customers. Remaining loyal to its roots, All-Tex continued to distribute only pipe, valves and fittings to a customer base that primarily consisted of mechanical, HVAC and plumbing contractors, as well as the government, OEMs, industrial facilities and other wholesalers. All-Tex' legacy can be seen throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The company has been involved with some of the area's premier construction projects, including the Anatole Hotel, Apparel Mart, World Trade Center, Galleria, Ballpark at Arlington, American Airlines Center, DFW Airport, Dallas Cowboys' Stadium in Arlington and numerous corporate headquarters.
In 1999, All-Tex went looking for a venue to challenge it’s talented group of professionals and expose them to the "best." The search led them to join Affiliated Distributors' PVF Division, the premier marketing group of distributors in North America. As an active member, Jill serves on the Executive Committee. The Company received A-D's Excellence in Marketing award in 2000, Highest Overall Participation award in 2002 and 2003, Best Annual Planning Process in 2005, and Donna Thompson, their Executive Assistant, received the 2006 MVP award. Receiving national recognition among peers gives everyone a great sense of pride and reaffirms that we have raised the bar and met it!
In 1999, All-Tex converted to the Eclipse computer software system for distribution management allowing implementation of several new processes like document imaging and signature capture. It enabled us to electronically perform most of the purchasing function with vendors through EDI - including orders, invoices and payments. Eclipse also allows All-Tex to engage in vendor managed inventory, another plus that further enhances the company's inventory capabilities. All-Tex' outstanding list of vendors, who amply supply over $7 million inventory, are Allied Fittings, Anvil, Charlotte, Conbraco, Merfish, Merit Brass, Mueller, Spears Manufacturing, Streamline, Nibco, Texas Pipe, Tyler Pipe, Victaulic, Viega, Warren Alloy, Watts, Weldbend and Zurn.
The sophisticated technology also paved the way for a seamless progression into a multi-branch environment. All-Tex boosted its revenues by acquiring Mesquite-based Utilities Industrial in 1999, specializing in the high-tech sub-sector. With the desire for future acquisitions and growth came the need for more financial expertise. That led to Dale Hurd, Jill's husband, joining the company in January 2000. With a master's degree in finance and 18 years experience in corporate and energy lending with Chase, he came well-qualified. Within 8 months of his arrival Fort Worth-based Southwest Pipe had been acquired! The latter provided 24,500 square feet of office and warehouse space on 4 acres, in addition to the All-Tex warehouse/office complex of 30,000 square feet on 3 ½ acres. This combined inventory base allowed All-Tex to expand throughout the North and Central Texas marketplaces including Austin, San Antonio, Beaumont and Houston.
The downturn of the economy and the effects of 9/11 put growth plans on hold, but a strategic focus on existing customers resulted in annual double digit growth. In 2006, the time was right for expansion. Customers were requesting that our model be put in other markets to serve them. In the summer of 2006, Bob Arison was hired to spearhead that growth. With 24 years of PVF related sales, marketing and management expertise from both the distribution and manufacturing sides, he was the perfect addition. With a 21,000 square foot building on 2 acres, a commitment to inventory and service, and the ability to attract great talent, our San Antonio location opened in October 2006 and our Austin location opened in June 2007. We are excited about reaching and servicing a broader marketplace, and plan to expand into more markets in the near future!