Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Williams is the leading full-service distributor of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) products and residential building products for builders, contractors, consumers, and architects serving the kitchen and bath, plumbing, garage door and hearth markets in the Great Lakes region of the United States.  Attaining double-digit growth for three straight years, Williams recently expanded its HVAC parts and accessories portfolio by acquiring the business of Shoemaker, Inc., a distributor of HVAC, hydronics and plumbing supplies serving Michigan and Indiana.  Williams operates 32 locations, including 27 dedicated to HVAC, across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio with 575 employees.

Williams is a second-and-third-generation family-owned business.   Jim Williams, representing the Company’s second generation, joined the family business in the 1970’s and led the Company’s transformation from distribution of appliances to HVAC and eventually building products. Through several acquisitions and the hiring of key executives, notably Mike Koster, CEO, and Jeff Beaton, President, the Company expanded its footprint throughout the midwestern United States, transforming Williams into a leading HVAC and Building Products distributor over the next four decades.  Mr. Williams, having stepped down from day-to-day operating responsibilities at the Company in 2020, decided to explore strategic options to determine the next chapter in the Williams Distributing legacy.