Emery Jensen Distribution is a national distributor servicing independent retailers in the Pro, Paint, Hardware, and e-Commerce channels. With 15 distribution centers and a headquarters in Oak Brook IL, Emery Jensen is best positioned to help independent retailers become more profitable by offering scale and skill to the advantage of their customers.
Emery Jensen Distribution is the result of 2 companies, Emery Waterhouse of the East Coast and Jensen Distribution of the West Coast, merging together to form a wholesale distributor selling to independent retailers nationally. With over 300 years of collective experience in the hardlines industry, and over 5.5 billion dollars in buying power, Emery Jensen Distribution offers a sustainable advantage in the market.
Emery Jensen is driven by the biggest selection of products, the best prices and best team in hardlines distribution. Our combination of national reach, channel expertise, and local touch allows us to deliver the highest level of customer service with the right supply chain which provides our customer the highest in-stock position and increased profitability.
The story of Emery-Waterhouse began in 1842, in Portland, Maine, as a single hardware store. They were one of many that lined Middle Street, known at the time as "Hardware Row." Throughout its 176 years in business, Emery-Waterhouse faced competition from many different companies. First, there was competition from emerging hardware chains. Then came big-box retailers. Despite the competition, Emery-Waterhouse maintained a leading position as an independent hardlines and building materials distributor in the Northeast.
O.C. Jensen left Denmark as a young man to seek fortune in America. O.C. and his first partner, Henry Brooke, started a hardware business in 1883, known as Jensen, Brooke & Company. Interest changed hands several times throughout its 130 year history, as did the name. After years of expansion, the company settled in its current location on Riverside Avenue in Spokane, WA and became known as Jensen Distribution Services.
