Scotty's Builders Supply

Scotty's logo

Scotty's Builders Supply was an American retailer of home improvement, construction products and services. The company that at its peak operated approximately 150 stores, closed its doors in 2005.

The company was also known as Scotty's Hardware and Scotty's Home Builders.

History

The company has its beginnings in the 1920s Florida land boom when new residents poured into the state to build houses, hotels and other businesses. A young Georgia farmer working in Winter Haven recognized the demand for building materials and in 1924 opened "Home Builders Supply" in Winter Haven.

Mr Sweet (the father of James Sweet) started with one store in 1924, and in 1925 it became incorporated, from that point it grew to almost 150 stores.

Scotty's was instrumental in helping supply building materials to the early real estate booms of Florida. Scotty's, overcome by the very competitive home improvement market, closed all the stores in 2005.

James W. Sweet

James (Jim) Sweet built Scotty's to a chain of more than 100 stores (150+ at its peak) and $500 million in sales during a 40-year career there. Scotty’s employed more than 5,500 people during his tenure. He was a fifteen-year member of the Florida Council of 100 business development group. He was also a graduate of Winter Haven High School.

He died on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at age 91 in Winter Haven, Florida.[1]

Name changes

The GIB Group

In the 1980s, the GIB Group helped Scotty's move to a new direction with a much needed influx of resources. In the 1990s, James Sweet sold all his stock and GIB became the new owners of the home improvement chain.

GIB also had interest in other home improvement retailers in the US, like Handy Andy Home Improvement Center.

Delivery service

Scotty's contractor and homeowner delivery service was one its major strengths.

They had many types of trucks in their fleet;

  1. Flatbed lift trucks
  2. Shingle Boom Trucks
  3. Drywall Trucks
  4. Box Trucks

Stock car racing sponsor

#16 Scotty's Car

In the late 1980s, Scotty's was also sponsor to Eddie King and his #16 car within the Florida circuit.

Eddie King and his Scotty's #16 car in action

References

  1. ↑ 1

External links


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