We have an outstanding and knowledgeable Outside Sales force that includes: Ted Grant (Charlotte/35 years), Tony Lewis (Raleigh/26 years), Terrell Matthews (Florence/37 years), Kenny Pullin (Raleigh/10 years) and Jerry Wilson (Charlotte/9 years), Tommy Worrell (Durham).
I would also like to mention some of the most important D&L employees from our past. Parks McClure, who passed away in 2001, was our Chief Financial Officer for over 15 years. He was essential in helping us through some very rough years and was instrumental in our tremendous growth during the 1980-1990’s. Archie Link, who passed away in February 2005, was one of the original owners of D&L and served the company for over 41 years as our Purchasing Agent and morale booster. Jerry Lingerfelt, who also recently retired, was our Purchasing Agent and Operations Manager. Jerry was a mentor that inspired others to excel. He was a dedicated employee for over 35 years.
I regret I cannot mention by name all the other great people at D&L who by their years of dedication, leadership, and hard work have been the backbone of this corporation. I truly believe that OUR PEOPLE are the main reason D&L has been in business for 50 years. Early on in my career I realized to be successful you must hire the very best people and then keep them! So, it is with great pride that I say, over 75% of our employees have been with D&L 5 years or longer. Of those employees 38% have been with D&L for over 20 years!
We are also proud of the fact that D&L is one of the last remaining family-owned businesses in our industry. Because most of our customers are also family-owned businesses, we believe we can understand their needs better than most other parts distributors. We realize our customers come to D&L not only for parts, supplies and equipment but also for solutions to their problems. Therefore, we are committed to continuing education for all our employees, as well as offering service and factory training schools for our customers.
These are exciting times we live in. There are many changes occurring in our industry and the world. While change can be discomforting at times for all of us, it can also offer us an opportunity to grow our business and put us ahead of our competition. We want our customers to know that D&L is here for them. We are working hard to be the preferred supplier for the professional HVAC contractor, major appliance technicians, apartment resident managers/maintenance technicians, hotel/motel maintenance staff and the do-it-yourselfers.
I have had numerous opportunities to sell this business over the years but turned them all down. Mainly because so often the buyers terminate most everyone on the old team and my employees are the ones who have made D&L succeed! Someone asked me recently when I was going to retire and I immediately answered, ‘Never, as long as the people of D&L have the desire to remain one of the best wholesale distributors in the business. I guess one day they’ll just have to carry me out on one of our hand trucks!’Ralph Brackett
President/CEO
wholesale | retail specials | order online | customer service | about D&L
locations | ComfortSite | partners | news | contact us | home
© 2008 D&L Parts Co. 704.374.0705
Designed & Developed by Metheney Consulting