MANSFIELD — Competing with national suppliers is no small challenge. Still, MHS Industrial Supply has been doing just that for 85 years — and thriving.
“We must be doing something right,” said Ashley Downs, co-owner of MHS Industrial Supply. “What makes us unique and relevant is the level of care we provide overall.”
A family legacy spanning generations
The Downs family has been a part of MHS Industrial Supply, located at 70 Sawyer Parkway, for 80 of its 85 years.
“My father joined as a board member and stockholder in 1945, returning from WWII,” said Ann Downs, former CEO and sales representative. “For 80 years, my family has held ownership and grown the business.
“We’ve been able to build relationships with our customers to levels that the big companies cannot.”
Ann said seeing the company continue in family hands is deeply meaningful.
“The satisfaction I get from knowing Phil and I were able to serve the Mansfield area for 45 years after my father retired — and now seeing my children carry on the legacy — is significant.”
New name, new owners, same service
Today, the next generation — Ashley, Jeff and Brad Downs — have taken the helm as co-owners.
“It’s very rewarding to see the business we dedicated 45 years of our lives to, to stay in the family and continue to flourish,” said Phil Downs, previous owner of MHS Industrial Supply.
“To pass the legacy on to my children is beyond words,” Ann added. “They’re continuing what has made the company what it is today and building on those foundations to make it even better for tomorrow.”
“After Phil and Ann put their heart and soul into MHS for over four decades, we feel honored to carry the business forward,” Ashley said. “We’re committed to staying true to their legacy while adapting and innovating for the future.”
“That means leaning into what we do best — exceptional customer service — while using technology to improve accuracy, efficiency and innovation,” she added.
Evolving with the industry
Over the decades, MHS Industrial Supply has transformed alongside the industry it serves.
“The changes have been tremendous,” Phil said. “The first calculator I used had lots of buttons and an electric motor, orders were handwritten and the inventory ran on 12 trays of Kardex cards, we labeled our bins with a Dymo labeler.”
Ann added they have seen many changes to manufacturing in the area, one of the most significant being companies leaving and new ones arriving.
“Technology has changed everything — and the next generation will take that even further,” Ann said.
Originally known as Mansfield Hardware and Supply, the company rebranded to MHS Industrial Supply in 2010 to better reflect its industrial focus.
“It became more and more difficult to convince potential customers that we were an industrial supply company, not a hardware store,” Phil said.
The rebrand coincided with their 70th anniversary, keeping “MHS” as a nod to their roots, Ashley said.
In 2014, the company moved from its original three-story brick building on North Foster Street to a new, single-level facility designed for modern efficiency and growth.
Service, solutions and community
Today, MHS Industrial Supply is a trusted partner in the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) industry, offering a wide range of products — from cutting tools, welding supplies, HVAC materials, janitorial supplies, safety and personal protective equipment, adhesives and abrasives, to warranty and repair services, plus more.
Through all the evolution, one thing has never changed: family.
“When my daughter was born, I came back to work three days after leaving the hospital to train a new hire,” Ann said. “Our daughter was sleeping in a box on the floor. She talks about it to this day. That’s what family-owned business owners do.”
MHS Industrial Supply’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. The company earned the Richland Area Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award in 2015 and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Small Business Award in 2016 — placing them among the top 100 small businesses in the nation.
That same year, Industrial Distribution Magazine and the Do It Best annual report featured MHS Industrial Supply.
When asked what fuels their long-standing success, Phil summed it up with a focus on the customer and a lot of grit and persistence.
Ann added credit to their dedicated employees who understand going the extra mile.
MHS employs 10 people and currently has positions available.
Rooted in community
For the Downs family, community involvement is part of their DNA.
Ann has served as board chair and member of several local organizations, including the Shelby Foundation, Buckeye Imagination Museum and the Regional Manufacturing Coalition.
Brad is a member of Richland Young Professionals and volunteers with the United Way Industrial Division.
MHS Industrial Supply is a longtime member of the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development and supports the Regional Manufacturing Coalition and Richland Community Development.
“Community involvement isn’t separate from business ownership — it’s the foundation of it,” Ashley said. “You can’t truly succeed as a local business without showing up for your community as a business and as an individual.”
To celebrate their 85th anniversary, MHS focused on appreciation — for both staff and the community.
They hosted a “Souper Bowl” chili cookoff, created new company swag, launched quarterly all-hands celebrations, and pledged to complete 85 hours of community service before year’s end.
Looking forward
As MHS Industrial Supply celebrates this milestone, Ashley said the company is proud of its history and excited for the future.
Looking ahead, MHS Industrial Supply already has new milestones in sight, including its 90th anniversary in 2030 and its centennial in 2040.
(More photos from MHS Industrial Supply. Provided by MHS Industrial Supply)
