Garland C. Norris Company Information

Garland C. Norris Company started in Apex, N.C. in 1904 by Mr. Garland C. Norris. Mr. Norris, then 18 years old, invested his entire savings of $75 to purchase tobacco products, which he distributed with a mule and wagon. In 1921, Mr. Norris moved the Company to Raleigh and expanded the operation to include a radius of 25 miles around Raleigh, and new products including candies, ice cream cones, and cola syrup. Major expansion occurred again in the early 1930s when paper cups were first manufactured. Garland C. Norris Co. became the exclusive distributor of Dixie Cups for North Carolina pioneering the introduction of paper disposables throughout North Carolina. During the 1970's and 1980's the Company focused on distributing food-service disposables and replaced tobacco, candies and sundries with chemicals and cleaners, party supplies and maintenance items. The Company continued its concentration on sales to distributors and expanded its service area to include all of North and South Carolina, southern Virginia and parts of Tennessee and Georgia. Today, Garland C. Norris Co. is the only Carolinas' based wholesaler that sells exclusively to distributors. In 2014, Garland C. Norris Company was acquired by S.P. Richards Company, North America's premier office supply wholesaler. Continuing normal business as a separate and stand alone company, Garland C. Norris Company is still managed by third and fourth generation family members. The Company is proud of its strong management team, which has a long history of dedicated service. Each member of our team fully understands that Garland C. Norris Co. exists to meet the needs of customers. Everyone at Garland C. Norris Co. shares in a "Customer Driven" philosophy. Garland C. Norris Company recently expanded their horizon in 2015, opening a new distribution warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia.