In 1937, Jacob Falk began a humble business dealing in scrap steel and old cast iron baths in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He would haul some of the material from as far away as Illinois. In essence, the budding company was a junk dealer. However, things soon took a new trajectory when Jacob’s daughter Helen married Walter Kleinman.
Walter knew how to build relationships and a strong customer base, transforming the little scrap metal business into a plumbing wholesale company: Falk Plumbing Supply. He was an outgoing businessman who created a culture of excellence with his employees and his customers.
Walter’s son Louis took a leading role in the company in the 1970s and went on to be the third-generation leader of Falk Plumbing Supply. Louis saw the company through some of its greatest growth. Through the 80s and 90s not only did he add new branches but he led expansion into the welding field with the addition of AWI and the tool business with Tool Source.
Louis had the vision to take the company into the 21st century through the addition of new software, a large distribution center, even more new branches, new showrooms, and great leadership. Falk Plumbing Supply began to look less like a little family-owned business and more like a powerful regional force in the plumbing wholesale and distribution business. The company successfully navigated the market crash of 2008 with resilience and began to be prepare for a fourth-generation leader.
Continuing the vision of his father, Ira Kleinman took the reins of Falk Plumbing Supply in 2009, and the company began to experience some of its greatest years ever. Ironically, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, the company experienced its best year in history up to that point. It proved that with its leadership, people, technology, resources, buying power, and a strong vision for the future, Falk Plumbing Supply was destined for success.
At our foundation and throughout the growth of Falk Plumbing Supply our mission has remained the same: to provide outstanding customer service with superior products at a reasonable price. In its fourth generation, that vision has not dimmed at all for the company.