For a 100-year-old wholesale distributor, the phrase “Be Bold” is more than a slogan; it’s also a strategy. Brian Schlise, President of APR Supply, joined the Driven by DCKAP podcast to discuss the company’s approach to automation, the role of an outside leader in a multi-generational family business, and how a stewardship mindset shapes decisions that a traditional P&L review would miss.
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, APR Supply operates across plumbing, HVAC, industrial PVF, decorative brands, and irrigation.
Podcast Highlights
Failing Fast Is Part of the Strategy
As part of APR Supply’s focus on boldness, Schlise shared that it prompted tolerance for failure. The company treats their technology budget the way an investor treats a portfolio, expecting some positions not to perform.
“We’re going to invest in multiple areas with an understanding that a certain percentage of them are not going to yield positive results. But because we’ve been entrepreneurial, we know that the entire portfolio of technology investments will pay off and be positive in the long run,” said Schlise.
The knowledge gained from a failed implementation is itself a return on that investment. Understanding how a product moves through a building, and where processes break down, is valuable information.
Stewardship Over Management
Schlise describes his role as the first non-family president in APR Supply’s four-generation history, as a privilege that comes with a specific obligation. His framework for that obligation draws on a concept he calls stewardship: the responsibility to hand off something better than you received it.
“I’m a part of an organization that has been built over 100 years. I have a small mark in time to make an impression and move that into the next generation so that it can last another 100 years,” Schlise said.
That framing shows up in programs like APR’s Dreamers Fund, which supports teammates through needs a standard benefits package would never cover. Schlise described one case where the fund paid for full dental reconstruction for a long-tenured employee. The point he made was not about the dental work. It was about the confidence that comes with a smile, and what that does for a person’s life outside the building.
The Value of Connection
Schlise has served as chairman on the board of Affiliated Distributors’ HVAC division. He shared that the informal peer network has been invaluable to him and APR Supply.
“Hallway talk is one of the most important parts. It goes beyond sitting in a room listening to guest speakers,” said Schlise.
For independent distributors trying to move faster than the market, he argued, that network of entrepreneurial peers is the asset most worth developing.
More Information
- For more details, visit the Driven Podcast portal or tune in on YouTube or Spotify
- For information about ERP integration, check out the DCKAP Distributor Blog
- Subscribe to the Driven by DCKAP Podcast
About the Driven by DCKAP Podcast The Driven by DCKAP Podcast is an audio and video show that explores B2B leaders’ stories, digital journeys, and insights on trends in distribution and manufacturing. The podcast is hosted by Karthik Chidambaram, Founder & CEO of DCKAP, who grew the company from a startup to a global team of more than 200 employees. Follow Driven by DCKAP Podcast on YouTube or LinkedIn.
About DCKAP DCKAP is a leader in digital solutions that help distributors’ systems talk to each other. Its technology simplifies software integrations, e-commerce, and product information management for B2B companies. DCKAP’s flagship product, DCKAP Integrator, helps distributors and manufacturers automate data between ERP, e-commerce, and CRM systems. Founded in 2005, DCKAP is a global and distributed team headquartered in Austin, TX. Visit dckap.com or follow on LinkedIn.
About APR Supply Co. APR Supply Co. is a fourth-generation wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, industrial PVF, irrigation, and landscape lighting products with locations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, APR is guided by core values of Customer, Accountability, Excellence, and Results. For more information, visit www.aprsupply.com.
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