A leader in HVAC/R sales and distribution for over 75 years
Founded in 1945 by Huey and Horace Baker, Baker Distributing Company has been engaged in the sales and distribution of air conditioning, refrigeration and heating equipment, parts and supplies for both residential and commercial HVAC/R applications for over 75 years. We are now a national supplier of HVAC/R and Foodservice products, with over 200 locations in 23 states.
Our Story
our founding
Baker Bros. founded by Horace and Huey Baker
Baker Bros. was founded in 1945 by Horace and Huey Baker to sell refrigeration and air conditioning equipment with a commitment to excellence.
baker bros. goes public
Baker Bros. goes public as computers emerge
Baker Bros. is listed as a public company and our footprint grows to 29 Sales Centers. Our first computer mainframe is setup and POS computers installed in all locations.
baker distributing company
Baker Distributing Company Watsco acquisition
Our company name changes to Baker Distributing Company before being acquired by Watsco Inc.. Our Grandaire Private Label HVAC Equipment line is introduced as our operations expand.
Follow Baker's progression from a small privately owned company to a publicly traded national supplier of HVAC/R and Foodservice products
our founding
1945-1970
1945-1960
Huey and Horace purchased Savannah Refrigeration and established Baker Bros.
1960-1962
Horace Baker assumes role as President in 1960.
1962-1986
Paul Stewart was named President. Office established on Roselle Street in Jacksonville, Florida.
1970-1971
Sales center operations expand before celebrating our 25th Anniversary.
baker bros. goes public
1971-1995
1971-1973
Baker becomes a publicly traded company. Our first computer mainframe is installed in Jacksonville, Florida.
1986-1995
Our footprint expands to 75 locations in 8 states. Jack Faulkner is named President following the retirement of Paul Stewart.
1991-1994
Baker grows substantially to 96 stores and becomes a Manitowoc Ice distributor leading to a brand new Foodservice Division.
1995-1999
Terry Kelly is named President and we look forward to our 50th Anniversary.
1995
Baker Distributing Co. celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
Baker Distributing Company and Watsco
1996-2020
1996-1999
Our company name changes to Baker Distributing Company and is acquired by Watsco.
1999-2012
Carole Poindexter is named President as we introduce our private label HVAC equipment under the name of Grandaire.
2013-2014
AL Lendino becomes President as our operations expand.
2015
Our eCommerce platform Bakerdist.com is launched to provide customers with round-the-clock product, sales and ordering options.
2014-2016
Steve Rush named President/CO0 as we expand to 22 states with 210 stores and over 1,000 employees.
2016
Our Contractor Assist Mobile App is launched to provide contractors with all the tools they need on the move.
2018-Present
Matt Roth is named President as Baker Distributing Co. gets ready to celebrate its 75th Anniversary.
Learn more about our Leadership
About Baker Distributing Company
Baker Distributing Company is a leading national distributor of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning equipment parts and supplies. We carry extensive product lines from more than 500 manufacturers and trusted brands including Residential HVAC, Commercial HVAC, Ductless HVAC, Commercial Refrigeration and Foodservice.