Meridian, Miss.-based Southern Pipe & Supply is celebrating its 75th year in business in 2013. A number of celebrations have already occurred in the first half of the year, including a recent gala dinner in mid-May attended by 300 guests. Best-selling author Jim Collinswas the keynote speaker.
“My grandfather (Louis Davidson) would have been very proud to see how far the company has come in a 75-year timeframe,” Southern Pipe & Supply Chairman of the Board Marty Davidsontold Supply House Times. “In his wildest dreams he couldn’t have imagined his company would end up with 96 branches in seven Southern states.”
Louis Davidson came to the U.S. from Russia and started the St. Louis Junk Co. in 1918. His sons, Meyerand Sammie, eventually joined him and the business was renamed Southern Pipe & Supply in 1938. Marty Davidson is the son of Meyer Davidson. Marty Davidson’s son, Jay, is the fourth generation to assume the company presidency.
Marty Davidson noted the company’s success would not be possible without a strong roster of dedicated employees and loyal customers. “We’re fortunate to have people who have been here 30-40 years. We want people to come with us and spend a career here and most do,” he said. “The customers in this industry are the greatest on the planet. Our people and our great customers got us this far and they will help us go even further in the next 75 years.”
