History
"Service is the most important part of this business."
Ernest W. "Ernie" Lorenz" 1912 - 1996
After returning to Mattoon, Illinois in 1946 from World War 2, Ernie Lorenz assumed his duties as an outside salesman for the Decatur Paper Company in Decatur, Illinois. Soon after Ernie made the decision to embark on being an entrepreneur and Lorenz Supply Company was founded in March of 1946. Ernie’s first purchase was filling the trunk of his car with mis-matched gloves from the glove factory in Effingham, Illinois and returning home where his wife Norie and he sorted out pairs of gloves. Ernie went on the road the next day and began selling matched pairs of these gloves.
In 1946 there were 28 independently owned neighbor hood grocery stores and markets in Mattoon. Ernie began selling toothpaste, hair pins, school supplies, meat room and paper supply items to these locations. This service continued for the next 41 years and expanded in various capacities to grow stronger and stronger as time went on.
On April 13th 1987 Lorenz Supply Company was purchased by Paul and Christine McKillip. At that time there were three full time employees and were stocking approximately 1500 items. Today Lorenz Supply Co. has evolved into 23 full time employees and over 3800 stocking items consisting of paper products, janitorial supplies, and cleaning equipment. But through all this growth we have continued with Mr. Lorenz philosophy "that service is the most important thing in this business."
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Contact Us
Lorenz Supply Co.
113 South 21st
P.O. Box 1411
Mattoon, IL 61938
Phone: 800-395-3677
Phone: 217-234-3677
Fax: 217-234-8547
lorenzco@consolidated.net