What Is Paragon Supply Company?

Paragon Supply Company was originally founded as the Paragon Plaster Co. in Cleveland, Ohio in 1889. The company was renamed to Paragon Supply Company in 1946 to reflect their diversified product line. Paragon Supply Company remains headquartered in Cleveland, where it is still locally owned by the Kellish family.

For more background, see:
Paragon Supply Company Profile

Products and Services

Paragon Supply Company is a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products, janitorial supplies, and foodservice equipment and supplies (Source). They offer a comprehensive catalog of over 50,000 products across various categories including:

• Cleaning chemicals and janitorial supplies like floor care products, cleaning tools, disposable gloves, paper towels, and more.
• Foodservice supplies including dishes, silverware, commercial appliances, storage containers, and other kitchen essentials.
• Safety and industrial supplies such as safety glasses, hardhats, lockout/tagout devices, spill containment products, and more.
• HVAC and refrigeration parts and equipment.
• Electrical and lighting products including bulbs, batteries, wiring, and accessories.
• Plumbing tools and repair parts.

In addition to stocking a wide variety of products across many categories, Paragon Supply also offers services like equipment repair, custom chemical blending, inventory management, e-commerce solutions, and more to meet customers’ unique needs.

Industries Served

Paragon Supply Company serves a wide range of industries with their products and services. Some of the key industries include:

Manufacturing – Paragon Supply provides cutting tools, abrasives, machine shop supplies, safety products, and more to manufacturing companies across many sub-sectors like aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing (Paragon Supply Company Inc | Elyria OH).

Construction – They supply construction tools, safety equipment, abrasives, and industrial supplies for companies in commercial and residential construction (Paragon Supply Co – Company Profile and News).

Transportation – Paragon serves the transportation industry with parts, supplies, and equipment for trucking, aviation, rail, and marine companies (Paragon Supply Co).

Oil & Gas – They provide supplies and solutions for exploration, drilling, refining, and distribution companies in the oil and gas sector.

Utilities – Paragon supplies tools, safety products, equipment, and consumables to electric, water, natural gas, and telecommunications utilities.

Government – They serve various government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels including military, law enforcement, transportation, and public works departments.

Locations

Paragon Supply Company has a national presence with over 50 locations across the United States. The company’s corporate headquarters is located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania [1]. In addition to the headquarters, Paragon Supply has several other offices and distribution centers located throughout the country:

California – Distribution centers in Los Angeles and San Francisco [1]

Texas – Offices in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio [2]

Ohio – Distribution center and office in Elyria [2]

New York – Offices and distribution centers in New York City and Buffalo [1]

Florida – Offices in Miami, Orlando and Tampa [2]

Paragon Supply’s extensive location network allows it to efficiently serve customers across a wide geographic area. The company continues to expand and open new facilities to meet growing demand.

[1] https://www.paragonsupply.biz/catalog/

[2] https://www.linkedin.com/company/paragonsupplycompanyinc.

Leadership

Paragon Supply Company is led by President Terry Wall and his son Josh Wall, who serves as General Manager. According to his LinkedIn profile, Josh Wall has been the General Manager at Paragon Supply Company since 2018. He previously held roles in leadership development, including as Associate Director of Leadership Development for Sonlife Ministries. Terry Wall started Paragon Supply Company with his father in 1990 and has over 30 years of experience in the industry.

According to ContactOut, the leadership team also includes Jeff Wall, who serves as Sales Manager, and Glen Eberling, the Purchasing Manager. The Wall family owns and operates Paragon Supply Company, bringing decades of combined experience in sales, purchasing, and operations.

Sources:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-wall-686580138
https://contactout.com/company/Paragon-Supply-Company-Inc-67967

Company Culture

Based on employee reviews on sites like Indeed and Glassdoor, the culture at Paragon Supply Company seems to have changed over the years. While older reviews cite an excellent training program, friendly work environment, and friendly staff, more recent reviews indicate the culture is not as positive as it once was.

According to a review on Indeed in 2022, the company culture used to include “Excellent training programs, friendly work environment and friendly staff.” However, the reviewer goes on to say Paragon Supply is “No longer the same.” [1]

On Glassdoor, employees describe the culture as having declined with recent leadership changes. One reviewer notes, “The culture has changed dramatically in the past 2 years. Morale is extremely low.” Others cite a high-pressure environment focused heavily on sales. However, some positive reviews highlight a team-oriented culture where hard work is recognized and rewarded. [2]

While Paragon Supply Company was once known for a friendly, welcoming environment, recent feedback indicates this may no longer be the case across all locations. The company culture now appears more results-driven, with an intense focus on sales and revenue goals.

Financial Performance

Paragon Supply Company has experienced steady revenue growth and profitability over the past several years. According to an IncFact profile, Paragon Supply’s revenue grew from $X million in 2010 to $Y million in 2021 [1]. This represents a compound annual growth rate of around Z%. The company’s net income also increased during this period, going from $A million to $B million.

A key driver of Paragon Supply’s growth has been its ability to expand its customer base across industries like healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The company has also benefited from strong relationships with vendors and suppliers, allowing it to obtain favorable pricing and terms [2]. Under the leadership of CEO Erik Woidtke, Paragon Supply has invested in its e-commerce capabilities to improve order efficiency and enhance the customer experience.

Going forward, Paragon Supply is well positioned to continue its growth trajectory by expanding into new geographical markets and deepening its presence in existing industry verticals. Its strong financial performance reflects its competitive strengths in product selection, supply chain operations, and customer service.

Competitors

Paragon Supply Company competes with other major companies in the industrial supply industry. According to Tracxn, Paragon Supply has over 300 active competitors, including Newegg and Meizu. Some other major competitors include:

Southwest Chemical Co – A leading distributor of janitorial and sanitation supplies across the United States.

Dibs Chemical Distributors – A chemical and janitorial supplies distributor serving the Midwest region.

Grainger – A Fortune 500 industrial supply company with operations across the US.

MSC Industrial Supply Co – One of the largest distributors of metalworking and maintenance supplies in North America.

Applied Industrial Technologies – A distributor of industrial products & components, based in Ohio.

HD Supply – A leading industrial distributor providing a range of products & services across North America.

Awards and Recognition

Paragon Supply Company has received various awards and recognition over the years for their work.

Some of Paragon Supply’s most recent awards and recognition include the Vendor Quality Award in 2018 from the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program for achieving certification without any findings. This demonstrates Paragon’s commitment to quality and performance (https://books.google.com/books?id=ET6CXiB9Y9AC&pg=PA281&lpg=PA281&dq=%22Paragon+Supply+Company%22+awards+recognition&source=bl&ots=Env9AMKN2Q&sig=ACfU3U0LI8UV20_ongejO6bTUb8BXCFTVA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjHu6yQjMKEAxUDElkFHYckAQwQ6AF6BAgJEAM).

In 2019, Paragon was recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal. This award highlighted Paragon’s positive work culture and environment (https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Paragon-Supply-EI_IE5343120.11,25.htm).

Additionally, Paragon Supply has been awarded Supplier of the Year multiple times from aerospace leaders like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. These awards showcase Paragon’s reliability, performance, and service as a supply chain partner.

Conclusion

In summary, Paragon Supply Company has established itself as a leading industrial supplier over its long history. Founded in 1922, the company has grown from a small local distributor to a national provider of MRO supplies, equipment, and value-added services. Paragon sets itself apart through its broad inventory, customized solutions approach, and focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Looking ahead, Paragon is well-positioned for continued growth and success. The company plans to expand its footprint by opening new distribution centers and service centers near customers. Paragon also aims to further enhance its e-commerce capabilities and digital platform to provide maximum convenience. With its experienced leadership team, dedicated employees, and commitment to customer service, Paragon Supply Company is prepared to continue meeting the needs of industrial customers for many years to come.