History of Midwest Supply

Our History

Since our inception in 1945, we have been working alongside our contractor family to source the best HVAC, refrigeration, and hydronic supplies. We are a 4th-generation family-owned business. From the early days and to this day, Midwest has always provided the best selection of the highest-quality products, with exceptional customer service to back it up. Scroll down below for a brief timeline of Midwest Supply.

  • 1945

    FOUNDING OF THE COMPANY

    COMPANY FOUNDING

    Yup, we’re still cool…even after 75+ years! In 1945, our founder, great-grandpa Edward, had a vision that wholesale refrigeration would benefit society and create jobs for our WWII veterans. Midwest Refrigeration Supply was launched in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  • 1965

    GRANDPA JIM TAKES OVER

    CONTINUED GROWTH

    By the 1960s, Edward's son, James ('Grandpa'), had taken the helm and began to expand Midwest Supply's footprint. Eventually, Grandpa had a desire to move the business to beautiful Northern Michigan to pursue his passion for fishing and hunting.

  • 1972

    NEW BUILDING

    TRAVERSE CITY EXPANSION

    In those Northern Michigan olden days, you had to travel uphill in the snow both ways of course and we were doing just that by exclusively selling refrigeration. In 1972, Grandpa Jim celebrated the opening of a brand new building, where Midwest Supply still operates our Traverse City location.

  • 1990

    LEADER IN HVAC/R

    CONTINUED HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE

    Since card playing during the winter was getting old, John Edward “Dad” decided to shake things up. In 1990, he began establishing vendor relationships in the HVAC trade. This decision was visionary and is the main reason we are still one of the longest family-run HVAC/R wholesalers in Michigan.

  • 2000

    MORE TERRITORY

    SAY 'YA' TO DA UP, EH!

    Towards the end of the 1990s, Midwest expanded our territory once again, adding branches in St. Ignace and Escanaba, Michigan.

  • 2017

    TODAY AND TOMORROW

    JOHN JR. TAKES OVER

    The 4th generation took the helm when John Jr. acquired the company in 2017. With a background in engineering, Johnny matches a passion for the latest technology with expertise earned over the generations. Under John's leadership, we are always looking to bring in the latest and greatest lines and products while striving to maintain a 'get it today' level of inventory.

  • 2022

    SUNRISE SIDE

    WEST BRANCH ACQUISITION

    When the opportunity to acquire an established supply house in West Branch arose, John Jr. jumped on it. We are pleased to announce the acquisition of M-Supply, a longstanding and established HVAC, kitchen, and plumbing supply house and showroom. This acquisition will allow Midwest to provide a higher level of service to existing and future customers on the east side of the Northern Lower Peninsula, while also bringing in refrigeration to this location.