Timeline of Our History | Baker Distributing

Our Timeline

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

Baker Bros. was founded in 1945 by Horace and Huey Baker to sell refrigeration and air conditioning equipment with a commitment to excellence.

1945-1960

Baker History Baker Brothers Huey and Horace Baker

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 25^th Anniversary.

baker bros. goes public

1971-1995

Baker Bros. is listed as a public company and our first computer mainframe is setup at our Jacksonville office. As our footprint grows to 96 Sales Centers, POS computer systems are installed in all locations.

1971-1973

Baker History Public Offering and new mainframe computers installed

Baker becomes a publicly traded company. Our first computer mainframe is installed in Jacksonville, Florida.

1986-1995

Baker History Paul Stewart Retires and Jack Faulkner becomes President

Our footprint expands to 75 locations in 8 states. Jack Faulkner is named President following the retirement of Paul Stewart.

1991-1994

Baker History Expansion and Manitowoc Ice Foodservice Division

Baker grows substantially to 96 stores and becomes a Manitowoc Ice distributor leading to a brand new Foodservice Division.

1995-1999

Baker History Terry Kelly President and Foodservice Division is Started with Manitowoc Ice Distribution

Terry Kelly is named President and we look forward to our 50^th Anniversary.

1995

Baker Distributing Co. celebrates its 50^th Anniversary.

Baker Distributing Company and Watsco

1996-2020

In 1996, our company name is officially changed to Baker Distributing Company before being acquired by Watsco Inc.. Our Grandaire Private Label HVAC line is introduced along with Bakerdist.com eCommerce as our operations expand into 22 states with 210 Sales Centers and over 1,000 employees.

1996-1999

Baker History Company name changes. Watsco acquisition

Our company name changes to Baker Distributing Company and is acquired by Watsco.

1999-2012

Baker History Carole Poindexter President and Grandaire Private Label

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

Baker History Steve Rush President / COO

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

Baker History Matt Roth President. 75th Anniversary

Matt Roth is named President as Baker Distributing Co. gets ready to celebrate its 75^th Anniversary.
Learn more about our Leadership

2021

Baker welcomes Makdad Supply with six Central Pennsylvania locations. Learn more

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.