BR Supply

There’s a regional chain giving the “big box” stores a run for their money, offering a high level of quality and service while maintaining faith-based values in everything they do.

With 12 locations across West Tennessee, BR Supply specializes in plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and janitorial.

BR Supply was founded in August of 1999 following the bankruptcy of KT Distributors of Union City. Barry Reed, a KT employee, acquired five of the company’s properties and established BR Supply. Those became the first five BR Supply locations in McKenzie, Trenton, Humboldt, Adamsville and Jackson. Expansions have since opened in Union City, Paris, Milan, Brownsville, Savannah, Covington and Ripley.

Ed Long of McKenzie is the vice president of BR Supply. He began his journey with the company in its early days, 24 years ago, working the counter in the McKenzie store. He became manager in Union City in 2002 and then in McKenzie in 2004. He would serve as a regional manager over Paris, McKenzie and Union City before being named VP in 2014.

Originally from Syracuse, New York, his work for Regal Cinemas brought him to Nashville, where he met his wife, Jennifer, a Gleason native. The couple settled in McKenzie and have two daughters, Josephine and Grace.

Soon after making their home here, Long felt a higher calling and was ordained in January 2005. He is currently the pastor at Rocky Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Jackson.

Long brings his faith proudly to his “day job.” He told The Banner, “The whole basis of our company is the principle of Jesus Christ, that’s part of why I’ve stayed here as long as I have. I look at our jobs here as a ministry. We’re ministering to the community.” He mentioned that he has married customers, some at BR Supply. “I married a couple in this very office. They went and got their certificate, I got my Bible out, read some scripture, prayed and performed a marriage ceremony.”

He has also officiated funerals for customers across West Tennessee.

“Across the board, our company, we realize it’s all through the glory of Jesus Christ that we have anything. From the head of our company, our CEO Barry Reed, all the way down to the last person hired… I do my best to make sure [new hires] realize they’re coming into a Christian environment and we’re going to glorify God. We do our best to help anybody that needs assistance in our company or community.”

Long was humble when speaking about the company’s charitable endeavors. “We don’t do it for the attention. We give back, but we don’t want our left hand to know what our right hand is doing. But we are here to help.”

He continued, “We’re so blessed. The culture in our company is such that the people here are so much more than employees. We’re brothers and sisters in Christ here at our workplace.”

While the customer base is mostly contractors and businesses, BR is geared to cater to the general public. Besides the sizable inventory on hand, they’re able to order just about anything.

Long says that BR can provide anything the “big box” stores can, including competitive prices, and offers something those places can’t. “The knowledge of our staff is the difference. We’re happy to help anybody with any project. From the smallest plumbing project to the biggest project, like changing an AC unit.” The staff consults on products to help get you the right thing and will recommend service providers such as plumbers, electricians and HVAC technicians.

The staff includes manager Keven Rogers and sales associates Jason Mitchell and Eric MacDougall.

The McKenzie store also houses some deep history. Going backward prior to BR Supply, 14965 South Highland was the home of KB Supply, Apex Supply, Tennessee Pipe and Supply, Williams Furniture and Highland Bowling Lanes bowling alley and skating rink.

BR Supply is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.