APR Supply blends tradition and innovation to empower contractors and drive growth in a competitive market
Over the course of its more than 100-year history, APR Supply has evolved from a single plumbing supply house into a fourth-generation, family-owned distributor of HVAC, plumbing, hydronics and PVF products. Today, the company serves contractors across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware through over 42 branches, 11 showrooms (known as Oasis Showrooms) and a sophisticated, high-efficiency distribution network. “What has kept us successful since our inception in 1922 is our ability to balance honoring our legacy and continuing to innovate. At our core, we are still very much a family company, but we operate with the scale, technology and forward-thinking mindset of a modern distributor,” opens Brian Schlise, President.
By offering a wide range of solutions, APR Supply aims to be a true one-stop resource for professional contractors. In terms of products, the company’s comprehensive lineup includes HVAC equipment and parts, plumbing fixtures and supplies, hydronic systems and boilers, as well as irrigation and landscape products and PVF. In addition, its Oasis Showrooms feature a full line of decorative bath and kitchen products. However, the value provided by APR Supply extends far beyond its product offerings. Indeed, the company also supports contractors with hands-on training, business resources, technical assistance and digital tools designed to make their work easier. Furthermore, its online ordering system, mobile app, and 24/7 e-commerce platform give customers access to inventory, pricing, and ordering as needed.
In May 2025, Brian was appointed as President, marking a new trajectory for the business. Brian shares his perspective on his first few months in this role and outlines his strategic vision for APR Supply under his leadership. “My first six months at APR Supply have been amazing. It has been both humbling and exciting to be offered the opportunity to join the company in this leadership capacity. The ownership has built an incredible business model, and this strong foundation will support our continued growth. Additionally, meeting teammates across the organization and connecting with our customers has been a true pleasure. It is clear why APR Supply has enjoyed such success all these years, thanks to our talented and dedicated team, as well as the strong customer partnerships we have developed. Furthermore, establishing connections with key supply partners has been rewarding and has enabled us to create mutually beneficial plans for market growth. The leadership team and I have focused our strategy around four pillars: customer experience, teammate experience, operational excellence and growth. We have charted a clear path for the next three years and have engaged leadership at all levels to implement quarterly activities that will empower us to achieve our desired results in each of these areas,” he unveils.
Geographic expansion
Part of APR Supply’s ambitions for the future revolves around revenue growth, with a plan in place to double its revenue every five years. “While this is an ambitious goal, we have proven it to be achievable. Our strategy is built around several key concepts. First, we continue to expand into new markets while strengthening our existing footprint. We’re also investing heavily in automation and operational efficiency, which allows us to scale without adding unnecessary complexity to the business. Digital transformation plays a major role in our strategy as well, as we are constantly improving our data, systems, and online tools to create a more seamless and efficient experience for customers. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we are focused on developing our people and strengthening our culture. Having talented teammates who are aligned, supported, and clear on expectations enables strong results to follow. All of these elements work together to create a scalable foundation for long-term growth,” Brian highlights.
As part of this growth strategy, APR Supply is prioritizing geographic and market expansion. The company has recently entered a due diligence period on a strategic acquisition in the Maryland market. This acquisition is crucial for future growth, as it will allow APR Supply to leverage the existing PVF market expertise of the acquisition target. Moreover, the organization will serve as a base of operations for introducing HVAC and plumbing products into Maryland while enabling further geographic expansion in the newly acquired region.
Employee and community commitment
To boost operational efficiency and support its team, APR Supply is making significant investments in new technologies and automation. “Some of our most notable advancements have been in logistics automation. Our distribution center now incorporates robotics, automated picking systems and conveyor technology that dramatically improve speed, accuracy and safety. We are also strengthening our digital ecosystem through upgrades to our e-commerce experience, enhancements to our mobile tools, and further development of APRU, our internal training platform. In addition, we are exploring AI-driven search and product recommendation capabilities to help our customers find what they need more quickly. With these investments, our objective is to provide contractors with the most efficient and reliable experience possible,” Brian informs.
Empowering contractors and clients goes hand-in-hand with APR Supply’s culture, which emphasizes employee development. The company’s culture is grounded in four core values: customer focus, accountability, excellence, and results. Making life easier for contractors is at the heart of APR Supply’s operations, reflecting its focus on customer satisfaction. To promote accountability, teams follow through on their commitments and take ownership of their work. By continuously challenging itself to improve across service, operations and leadership, the company maintains high standards of excellence. As a performance-driven organization, APR Supply aligns its teams around achieving meaningful outcomes. To support its teammates, the company has introduced several programs that embody these values. For instance, the Dreamers Fund helps employees pursue personal goals with financial support, while APRU delivers ongoing training and career development. Moreover, APR Supply’s wellbeing strategy takes a holistic approach to employee health.
In fact, giving back through community engagement is very important to APR, as Brian concludes. “One of our biggest partnerships is No Shave November with Penn State Health, where we raise funds for prostate cancer research. We also support the American Heart Association, Homes for Our Troops, the Ride to End Alzheimer’s, and a number of community programs across our branches. Giving back is not just an initiative for us, it is part of our identity as a family-led organization.”