CELEBRATING 55 YEARS in BUSINESS!
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At the heart of R&B Wholesale Distributors is our sense of family. Since our inception in 1968 to today, we have made it a priority to foster the kind of business relationships that last a lifetime. As a family run business, we know how important loyalty is and we are so grateful for our talented employees, many of whom have been with us from the very beginning. In fact, entire generations of families have worked for us their entire lives! We believe the dedication of our talented employees is the key to our shared success over the past 55 years!
Since 1968, our company has grown to three locations in Ontario, California, Hayward, California, and in Phoenix, Arizona. Our three locations currently employs 130+ employees, have more than 200,000 square feet of company-owned warehouse space and our own fleet of nearly 40 delivery trucks servicing California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.
Since 1968, our company has grown to three locations in Ontario, California, Hayward, California, and in Phoenix, Arizona. Our three locations currently employs 130+ employees, have more than 200,000 square feet of company-owned warehouse space and our own fleet of nearly 40 delivery trucks servicing California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.
Our Story
We are so excited to share that our story below was recently featured in Retail Observer Magazine! Below is an excerpt of that article:
We are so excited to share that our story below was recently featured in Retail Observer Magazine! Below is an excerpt of that article:
Robert (Bob) Burggraf started off as a Service Manager for Montgomery Ward when he got the idea to open up his own Appliance Service business from a small storefront in Lakewood, CA. It didn’t take long for the word to get out that Bob knew how to keep appliances humming and that meant an increasingly happy customer base. Soon, Bob went from doing service calls in the evenings to becoming an appliance distributor selling product to independent dealers in Southern California.
In 1969, the Caloric Corporation called and wanted Bob to become the Authorized Service Center for three Southern California cities. This territory soon grew to ten cities and Bob’s small company was on its way to becoming what it is today: R&B Wholesale Distributors, Inc (R&B) serving the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Like most businesses, R&B has seen its share of challenges. In the late 80’s R&B was struggling with the loss of its Parts business and the Kelvinator Distributorship in AZ. Determined for a solution, Bob called up the Crosley Corporation and learned that they had an open territory in Arizona. Bert Miley of Crosley paid R&B a visit and soon they were distributing Crosley Appliances. Bob met the owners of G&S Distributing and acquired this struggling Crosley Distributor in Southern California. This eventually led to a further expansion of territory, distributing Crosley into the entire state of California. Today, Bob’s son, Chris Burggraf sits on the Crosley Board of Directors, allowing R&B to participate in decision making of the Brand. “We are so fortunate to be shareholders of Crosley; it’s the perfect protected line for Independent Dealers,” says Bob. In 1994, Bob saw another opportunity for expansion and created the Builder Division. Builder Sales Manager, David Rhodes was hired and is still with the company today, as are many of his loyal customers. R&B believes the tenure of their salespeople is a major component of their success. With sales representatives averaging more than 12 years with the company, they provide knowledge and guidance their dealers can count on. R&B’s Business Philosophy:
Bob met his wife, Masako, on an appliance service call in 1971 and had four children. Mike, Chris, Connie, and Jennie grew up working at R&B and continue to work in the business today.
Mike Burggraf began as an outside sales rep and became General Manager of the Arizona branch until last year when he moved to California to support the continuous growth in Northern CA. Chris Burggraf got an early start at R&B when he was still in elementary school. “I think it was a way for my mom to get us out of the house,” laughs Chris. Chris started his career filing and now runs the Northern California branch. Connie Burggraf-Espina started at R&B when she was 9 years old, proudly earning her weekly allowance and now serves as the General Manager at Corporate Headquarters in Southern California. Jennie Burggraf-Roque recalls, “My life at R&B started around 13 years old filing after school.” Jennie now supports the Builder Team and manages the office. Her husband, Romeo Roque also works in the business, spear heading all their technology initiatives. Today, R&B distributes over 50 brands and services more than 1,000 customers. “R&B is planning and building for continued sales growth in the coming years,” says Connie. “We’re excited about the appliance business moving forward. Investment, expansion and working closely with manufacturers, retail dealers, builders, and commercial customers are key initiatives as R&B looks toward the future.” That family-first, entrepreneurial spirit that began in 1968 is still a driving force in the company today. As a family-owned and operated company, all employees carry the tradition to serve the customer first. From the employees answering the telephones to the salesperson calling on the dealer, to the delivery driver unloading the product at its destination, every employee understands the importance of the customer relationship, because they are more than just customers - they’re family. As President and CEO, Robert Burggraf still actively enjoys the day to day operation of his expanding distribution company. When asked what this 50-year anniversary means to him, Bob replied, “It’s a big accomplishment for us. I’m proud of our family, and our loyal employees that we call family.” |
Our History
1968
R&B Appliance Service started by Robert (Bob) Burggraf as an appliance service company in Lakewood, CA. |
1969
R&B becomes the ASC for Caloric Corporation. |
1974
Bob purchases Adasen Appliance, a retail appliance store in Paramount, CA. |
1976
Adasen Appliance moves to South Gate, CA.. |
1980
R&B Appliance Parts Co. (R&B) is born, distributing parts for Caloric, Brown, Modern Maid, Premierand many others. |
1981
Adasen Commercial sales division is started, distributing Litton Commercial Microwaves. |
1982
Adasen Distributing of AZ opens a branch in Phoenix, AZ and the CA store is renamed Adasen Distributing of CA. |
1984
Adasen Distributing of CA becomes an Amana Commercial Microwave Distributor. |
1987
R&B/Adasen moves from South Gate into a 40,000 square foot facility in Chino, CA. |
1988
R&B Appliance Delivery Division is created and begins home appliance installations for companies like Price Club (now Costco). |
1991
Adasen of AZ becomes a Crosley Distributor, moves into a larger distribution facility. |
1994
R&B expands into Builder / Multihousing / Property Management Sales; becomes a Frigidaire Builder Distributor |
1995
R&B acquires G&S Distributors, the Crosley Distributor in Southern CA. |
1998
G&S and Adasen of AZ become Zenith and Sanyo Distributors and both Adasens become Sharp Commercial Microwave Distributors. |
2002
All companies under the R&B Appliance umbrella are renamed R&B Wholesale Distributors, Inc. (R&B). R&B opens a distribution facility in Northern CA.. |
2003
R&B moves headquarters to Ontario, CA, in an 80,000 square foot facility. |
2004
R&B proudly becomes the Speed Queen Home Laundry Distributor. |
2012
R&B purchases Noble Distributors in Arizona and moves into a larger warehouse in Phoenix, AZ. |
2016
R&B adds a Warehouse in Las Vegas, NV. |
2017
R&B implements a new ERP system to better support business. |
2018
R&B Celebrates 50 Years in Business!
R&B Celebrates 50 Years in Business!