About Us

An Industry Leader in Residential Building Material Distribution and Door Fabrication

We have partnered with local dealers for over 100 years, and have helped supply the best materials for their projects. Our great product selection and endless commitment to great customer service help us ensure that you come away from every interaction knowing you have the best materials and information for every job.

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Our Mission

At Palmer-Donavin, we are driven by our mission to deliver products, expertise, and solutions that help our customers succeed. We do this by using our recognized expertise, our strong work ethic, our high-quality products, and our commitment to continuous learning and use of new technology to build the highest level of trust with our clients and partners. We make decisions using our Purpose Driven Principles to help serve our mission and guide our everyday interactions with each other and our business partners.

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Our History: Amazing Things Can Happen From Chance Meetings

Palmer-Donavin’s century long legacy began when our founders met on a streetcar in the early 20th century. Fred Palmer was working for Carmen Manufacturing – which produced macaroni noodles, tin ware and wash boilers – and soon offered his friend, John Donavin, a sales position at the company. They would later acquire the company and put their names on it, creating a brand that has endured for more than 110 years.

1907

Fred Palmer and John Donavin buy Carmen Manufacturing in downtown Columbus, Ohio and turn it into the Palmer-Donavin Manufacturing Company.

The company stops producing noodles and begins manufacturing prime sheet metal and tin ware, including pots, pans and jar caps. Distribution clients are mainly farm supply stores and local hardware stores. Mr. Palmer was known to make deliveries to his customers personally via horse-drawn wagon.

1913
1931

Palmer-Donavin takes on the distribution of the Certain-teed Products Company line and moves further into building material distribution. This business partnership still continues today with CertainTeed Corporation.

The company is purchased by Arthur Wiles, Robert Woodward and Thomas Doucher, which has a lasting legacy on the future of the company.

1967
1991

Palmer-Donavin acquires Material Distributors, Inc. with locations in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.

Palmer-Donavin starts its own trucking company, PD Midwest Transport, in an effort to better serve its customers.

1996
2007

The company transitions to employee ownership establishing an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Palmer-Donavin purchases Seal-Rite Door, a leading fabricator of Therma-Tru Doors.

2013
2020

The company rebranded its Seal-Rite Door Division as Palmer-Donavin and announces corporate rebrand for the entire company.

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