ABOUT GBS: GENERAL BUILDERS SUPPLY
General Builders Supply (GBS) in Madera, California has been helping its customers meet their hardware needs for seven decades. Homeowners and building contractors will find what they are looking for at our builders supply center. Learn more about our story, and see how our tradition of quality service is helping people to this day.
To Read About Our Article in the Madra Tribune by Lauren Mueller
COMPANY HISTORY
GBS opened in the 1940s at 1920 Howard Road. Founder Pat Melikian took pride in making it simple for his customers to find the tools and materials they needed for any job. His son, Roger Melikian, followed in his footsteps and operated the business until the late 1970s.
In 1977, Carl Wisener of Madera Lumber, Bud Smith of Smith Volpa Dodge and CPA James Lesan became partners in the hardware store. Drawing on each man's strength — Carl's knowledge of hardware, Bud's business sense, and James crunching the numbers — they hit on the perfect recipe for success.
As the business grew, it soon became apparent that the store needed more space. In 1986, Berry Construction built GBS's present location at 1808 Howard Road. Through good times and bad in the local construction industry, GBS continues to grow by offering its friends and neighbors the highest level of customer service with competitively priced merchandise.
In 1995 Dennis Smith, Bud's youngest son, bought Lesan's share of the business, and Bud and Carl retired.
GBS TODAY — AND FOR THE FUTURE
The store still carries many of the same items found there in the 1950s. In addition to hardware and building supplies, the store offers a wide variety of merchandise including housewares, painting supplies, plumbing parts, garden and construction tools, and much more.
The friendly, knowledgeable staff at GBS provides personal service. They can help even the novice handyman locate the part or fixture needed to get the job done. The GBS vision is to be sustainable to our community.
A recent addition to our repertoire is the "lock and key" kiosk, where we duplicate almost any key, including the newer transponder keys, while you wait. Best of all, each of our services is competitively priced. Our line of fun designer key blanks will add flair and style to an otherwise utility item.
On the off chance the store doesn't have the necessary part or tool in stock needed to complete a project you can order it from us. We have established an extensive network of suppliers. Orders are often delivered the next day.
For more than 70 years, GBS has been a part of the Madera community. With our down-home atmosphere and no-nonsense know-how, you can have confidence starting — and finishing — any home improvement project with us.
Welcome to our family.
MISSION STATEMENT
The GBS Mission:
- Conduct all aspects of business with honesty and integrity.
- Provide our community with products and services they need at a fair price.
- Understand our customers' needs and provide excellent customer service.
- Maintain accurate and acceptable accounting.
- Train new employees the proper way to conduct business and interact with consumers: with respect, integrity and honesty.
- Grow the business with the latest technology that ensures the business thrives.
- Contribute to the growth of our community.
- Motivate, reward, and provide an opportunity for growth by providing flexibility.