Florida Hardware

The original founder of Florida Hardware, George F. Drew was born in Alton, New Hampshire on August 6, 1827. In 1847 G.F. Drew opened a machine shop in Columbus, Georgia and sometime around then he became involved in lumbering in the State of Georgia. After relocating to Florida, he built what was reputed to be the largest sawmill in Florida. That was in 1865 around Ellaville, Florida on the Suwannee River. In 1875 he founded the Florida Hardware Company.

G.F. Drew was elected as the 12th Governor of Florida. He held office from January 1877 until January 1881. G. F. Drew's election to the governorship of Florida occurred at the end of what was known as the "Reconstruction Era" in Florida. He is credited with significantly cutting taxes and expenditures, as another economic move, he established a convict lease system.

After his term in office, he returned to private enterprise and resumed his activities in lumbering and hardware business. At one time he had eleven mills in opertation. He served as the first president of the city's board of trade in Jacksonville. In 1885 he divested himself of Florida Hardware Company. He died in Jacksonville on September 26, 1900.

In 1885, Jonathan Yerkes purchased Florida Hardware from Governor Drew. Jonathan Yerkes was the founder and principal in Yerkes & Plumb Tool Company of Pennsylvania (today know as "Plumb Tool"). The Yerkes family owned and operated Florida Hardware Company for 100 years. The many generations of Yerkes grew Florida Hardware to a leader in Florida. The Yerkes helped start many independent hardware dealers in business and they also helped many dealers survive the great depression.

In 1985, Ralph J. Thieman Jr. of Quincy, Illinois purchased Florida Hardware Company from the Yerkes Family. Ralph Thieman was the third generation owner of the Quincy Hardware & Leather Company in Quincy, Illinois. Upon the purchase of Florida Hardware Company, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Also in 1985 he divested himself of the Quincy Hardware & Leather Company. The Thieman family continues to own and operate Florida Hardware Company today.

Distribution America is the nation's largest network of independent hardware, hardlines and paint sundries wholesale distributors. Serving 15,000 retail customers in all 50 states and exporting to 20 countries, our combined buying power of over $1.2 billion in purchases enables our retailers to compete profitably in their markets.

- 24 distribution centers
- Over $150 million in inventory
- 3 million sq. ft. of warehouse space
- 480 delivery trucks
- Over 500 qualified sales reps
- Global product sourcing
- 250,000 items representing 2,500 vendors

Distribution America's Mission
To enhance the market effectiveness and internal efficiencies of our individual distributor member/owners by providing selected high leverage, centralized services and group economies of scale.