On March 19, 1883, James A. Sunderland founded a company that would be integral to the growth and development of Omaha, Nebraska. It was on this date that Sunderland Brothers Company began selling coal, cement, lime, and other building supplies essential for a young, growing city. By the early 1900’s, Sunderland Brothers had expanded its product offering to include steel, lumber, ceramic tile, marble, and even street lamps. During this time it is estimated that Sunderland Brothers Company provided 80% of the building materials used in Omaha.
In 1909, James A. Sunderland and L.T. Sunderland formed a company whose purpose was to take over aspects of Sunderland Brothers Company that weren’t directly related to Sunderland Brothers’ core Omaha business, including Ash Grove Lime & Portland Cement in Kansas City. L.T. Sunderland went down to KC to become VP and GM of the newly created corporation - which later became known as Ash Grove Cement Company.
About this time, Sunderland Brothers was noticing an increase in demand for ceramic tile and marble, and slowly but surely each product was becoming a more important piece of the business. The demand was so high, that in 1914 Sunderland Brothers opened their first marble manufacturing plant, and by 1928, under 2nd-generation president John E. Sunderland, the company had sold all of their merchandise and equipment that didn’t pertain to marble, stone, or ceramic tile.
During the 1960's, the company was passed down to third-generation Chairman of the Board James A. (Jim) Sunderland II. It was under his management that Sunderland Brothers Company shifted its focus toward the retail market, and in 1981, distribution was made the company's sole business. During the same time, the company was expanding beyond the Omaha area, with the addition of a location in Des Moines, IA. The company has since branched out even further, adding locations in Davenport, IA, Kansas City, KS and St. Louis, MO.
It was in 1997, under the current management of President Ron Bauer and fourth-generation family member, Vice-president John Sunderland that Sunderland Brothers Company converted to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
The 110-person company has reinvested in itself in a variety of ways recently, including moving to a new site in Davenport, IA, as well as renovating its Omaha showroom in 2001, which was expanded from 2,500 ft2 to 4,000 ft2. In 2004, after outgrowing their 12,000 ft2 facility, the Lenexa branch moved into two separate locations - an exquisite 8,000 ft2 showroom and a 40,000 ft2 distribution center. Sunderland Brothers also opened a new location in St. Louis, MO in 2004. The company continues to progress and grow, offering approximately 13 million ceramic tile, laminate, stone, and cabinet items from more than 130 manufacturers around the world.
