John Grable Exports was founded more than 30 years ago by J.D. Thomason and Finley Dunlevy, but the family roots of this independent wholesaler go back more than 70 years. Now the next generation of the founding families is proudly managing the company which has grown 20-fold since its humble beginnings. Through all of the changes that the company has seen in the wholesale business, one thing has remained constant for John Grable Exports: steady growth.

From the beginning, John Grable Exports has been a pioneer in its field. Having always believed in the separation of domestic markets and overseas export markets, the company's focus on the overseas market has made it a well-respected leader in that area and is one of the reasons for its combined growth and success.

Longtime customers from around the world have come to rely on John Grable Exports for plumbing, lighting and electrical supplies as well as tools, general hardware and building specialty products.The huge inventory available at any one time means convenience for customers. John Grable Exports is a one-stop supplier, and they have the loyal customers to prove it. "We have customers who bought from our founders 31 years ago," says president Thomason proudly.

Innovation has been the hallmark of this family-owned, family-managed business through three decades. Not only does it focus exclusively on the overseas market but John Grable Exports also has a unique approach to warehousing and transportation. "To our knowledge, we are one-of-a-kind in that we only export and we warehouse our products," say John Thomason, son of the co-founder.

At the heart of this approach to business is a 50,000 square foot warehouse located conveniently between the ports of Miami and Palm Beach (Riviera Beach) and just five minutes from Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale Airport. This high-ceilinged storage facility has both ground level and dock height loading and unloading capabilities

"We view warehousing as essential to our business," says president Thomason. All materials received by John Grable Exports from its vendors are scrutinized for accuracy and damage. The Orders are then properly hand-packed by the experienced warehouse staff. Most importantly, customers are informed of any space remaining in containers, which allows them to ship completely full containers, saving thousands of dollars.

"Unlike freight-forwarders, we do not ship 'air'." Explains the company president. This is typical of the commitment by the company to become a working partner with its customers.

By focusing on offshore exports from the outset, the company has established markets around the world. Beginning with early exports to the Caribbean and Bahamas, the Atlantic market has grown steadily to include Bermuda, Turks and Cacaos Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. An outstanding reputation for service and quality products has been a major factor in the expansion of markets to Puerto Rico, Mexico, and many countries in Central and South America. Markets have also opened up in the South Pacific, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Germany. Some sales are made within the US, but they are totally export related.

John Grable Exports has a network of sales representatives to serve the overseas stocking distributors who have come to rely on them for quality products and excellent service. The experienced sales representatives bring a high level of product and marketing knowledge to their customers around the world. This expertise has been developed by a core of long-term staff over generations of experience in the international wholesale markets.

This is a sales-oriented staff right from the top. All managers have a sales background and even the president, general manager, and chief financial officer have a sales territory responsibility. If a problem ever does arise, management knows as quickly as those in the field and are able to respond promptly. As a result the company performs very much as a team. Not only are the communications greatly enhanced but the problem-solving process is streamlined. "We share the problem-solving process with our customers because we know their needs, products, and markets extremely well." Comments David Dunlevy, the general manager.

The sales staff at John Grable Exports travel extensively in order to have face-to-face contacts with overseas customers. Firsthand knowledge of international markets and a sensitivity to the differences in various parts of the world are the strengths from which the company is able to provide informed service to each customer. "Our staff is an international and cultural mix," points out Dunlevy, "and that gives us a special relationship with, and understanding of, our overseas customers."