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Meet the gem supply family

GEM Supply 2023

Paul Owens

"Serve Diligently and Grow  With Integrity" 

This is the mission statement Paul wants you to know about as he shows you the Academy of Cleaning Excellence, just one of the GEM Pillars.

Come join us for some experiential learning at GEM Supply.

Stop in at any of the four central Florida locations and shop, email, order online, or call us for delivery.


email paul here

Kendrix Bullard

Kendricx can be found at the GEM store, 1312 W. Washington in Orlando.  

His smile and booming laugh will either be behind the counter or among the supplies finding solutions to issues.

Watch and learn more about Kendrix above.

Email Ken HERE

Bob Zagers Sr.

Bob Zagers Sr. can be found most days, early morning, out with his customers in 6 different counties around the Tampa Bay area.  


Watch this conversation with Bob to learn more.

Email Bob here

Elise Whann

 For almost 10 years, Elise Whann has been the customer care person on the showroom floor and behind the counter for GEM Supply, at 1312 W. Washington, Orlando.  

Listen to her Podcast Here

gem supply history

The Early Years * 1930 - 1974

The Early Years * 1930 - 1974

The Early Years * 1930 - 1974

GEM 1950

 

In 1930, shortly after “The Great Crash” of 1929, Gem Chemical Co. was founded by Frank M. Curry. Mr. Curry had been a Sales Manager for Sun Oil Co. and had previously been a top salesman for a large food chain.


From 1930 to 1950, Gem Supply grew incrementally each year. By 1950, the growing Central Florida company was a force to be reckoned with making deliveries to customers on its own trucks in seven central Florida counties; Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, and Marion. 


Old records indicate that business was also conducted in other parts of the state and out of state with deliveries done by rail.


A 1950's photo shows Gem Supply's booth at the Central Florida Fair. Note that at that time chemicals were packed in brown glass jugs.


Gem was featuring a product called Sept-O-Solve, a product advertised as a cesspool or septic tank conditioner.

In the booth, there is also a display of Pine Oil, the best-selling cleaner of the times.


An article by Tom Hills in “Maintenance Supplies” magazine in August of 1973 said that Gem Supply, then known as Gem Chemical Co. “was the oldest of its type in Florida”.


By 1970, the then 71-year-old Curry had grown his business to almost $400,000.00 annually. That would represent about $2 to $3 million in annual sales in 2010 dollars.


It was time for expansion and Gem Chemical moved to 437 W. Central Avenue. Gem completely remodeled and renovated an old warehouse site from top to bottom. 

This new facility included offices, a showroom, and a warehouse and was 9,000 sq. ft.

1975 - Today

The Early Years * 1930 - 1974

The Early Years * 1930 - 1974

GEM Supply 1987

 

In 1975 a young enterprising Dutch Owens purchased Gem Chemical Co. from Frank Curry who was ready to retire. Dutch had grown up in the cleaning industry. 


His father, Paul Owens, ran a successful janitorial service co. called AAA Janitorial Services.

The young, aggressive, and likable new owner soon became one of the main suppliers to the newly opened “Magic Walt Disney World”.


By 1987, Gem Chemical Co. had become known as Gem Supply and had moved into its present site at 1312 W. Washington St. in Orlando, FL.


This 63,000 sq. ft building hosts a Continuing Education Center (now the Academy of Cleaning Excellence) for cleaning professionals as well as offices, warehouses, and Central Florida’s largest janitorial showroom and wholesale outlet.


It is known as the world's only drive-in janitorial supply company.


In 2006 Gem opened its second wholesale outlet in Kissimmee Florida. This allowed us to effectively service our customers in the Osceola and outlying county areas.


It was in 2007 that Gem acquired Janitorial Industrial Maintenance Supply Company (JIMS) in Lakeland, Florida. JIMS was a super service provider in the Polk and surrounding county areas, making it a great cultural fit for GEM.


It was in January of 2008 that Gem merged with Zagers Brand in the Tampa market, continuing Gem’s westward trek across Florida.

In December of 2009, Gem moved into its fourth wholesale outlet on Himes Avenue (2020 this location moved to Benjamin Rd) in Tampa.

2021, GEM Supply aquired Rescourse One locations in Ocala & Sarasota. 


The concise growth and expansion of Gem has been strategic and without incurring debt. This has been a real blessing in the economic trials of today. 

We look forward to continuing our expansion throughout Florida to better serve our valued customers.

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