The Ultimate Guide to America's Leading Jan/San Supply Distributors

Key Industry Insights

Market Dominance: The U.S. janitorial service industry is valued at nearly $98 billion and growing at 6.6% annually, driving demand for specialized supply distributors.
Distribution Network: Leading jan/san distributors leverage extensive distribution centers strategically positioned nationwide for rapid delivery and comprehensive service coverage.
Industry Evolution: Major players are expanding through consolidation, with companies like Imperial Dade growing their footprint through strategic acquisitions.

Comprehensive List of Top Jan/San Custodial Supplies Distributors

The following list represents the most prominent janitorial and sanitary supplies distributors in the United States, compiled based on market presence, distribution capabilities, product range, and industry reputation.

National Powerhouse Distributors

Industry Leaders with Extensive Reach

These companies have established themselves as leaders through their nationwide presence, extensive product catalogs, and efficient distribution networks:

Imperial Dade - A leading family-owned distributor with over 100 distribution centers across North America, offering comprehensive cleaning solutions and specialized expertise.
Essendant Inc. - Holds the largest market share in the U.S. cleaning and maintenance supplies distribution industry with an extensive catalog of products.
W.W. Grainger - A well-established industrial supply company providing a vast assortment of janitorial supplies with exceptional customer support and approximately $16.5 billion in revenue.
Network Services - A member-owned cooperative operating in 50 countries, specializing in janitorial, sanitation, and foodservice packaging products and related services.
Veritiv Corp. - A major distributor with approximately $5.9 billion in revenue, offering comprehensive facility solutions.

Specialized Regional Distributors

Regional Expertise with Strong Local Presence

These distributors have developed strong regional footholds while maintaining high-quality service standards:

WAXIE Sanitary Supply - Industry leader with 23 inventory centers strategically located across nine Western states, specializing in quality sanitary supplies and equipment.
Brady Industries - Premier cleaning solutions provider throughout the Western United States with locations in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado, Maryland, California, and Texas.
Brame Specialty - Full-line distributor throughout the Carolinas and Virginia offering sanitary maintenance products, floor machines, laundry supplies, and more.
Gulf Coast Paper Company - Major Texas-based distributor with seven distribution centers specializing in janitorial, packaging, office supplies, and related equipment.
Sanico Cleaning Solutions - New York-based provider focusing on environmentally friendly cleaning products with three locations throughout the state.

E-Commerce and Specialized Suppliers

Digital-First Distribution Models

These companies have leveraged online platforms to reach customers nationwide with competitive pricing and extensive product selection:

WebstaurantStore - One of the largest online distributors of janitorial supplies with over 430,000 items and fast shipping capabilities.
CleanItSupply - Online distributor offering over 70,000 janitorial products at wholesale prices, catering to schools, offices, and cleaning professionals.
Wholesale Janitorial Supply (WJS) - Family-owned business headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ with over 3,000 janitorial and cleaning products available with 1-2 day shipping.
Worldwide Janitor - Leading online distributor known for competitive pricing and fast delivery of janitorial supplies, chemicals, and equipment.
Jon-Don - Specialized distributor focusing on high-quality cleaning products and equipment for contractors and cleaning professionals.

Retail Giants with Commercial Divisions

Leveraging Retail Infrastructure for Commercial Supply

These retail giants have developed specialized commercial divisions to serve the jan/san market:

The Home Depot Pro (SupplyWorks) - Leveraging Home Depot's extensive infrastructure to provide comprehensive janitorial and facility maintenance supplies.
Staples - Beyond office supplies, Staples has become a significant distributor of janitorial supplies, making them a convenient one-stop solution for many businesses.
Uline - Based in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, known for industrial supplies, shipping products, and a growing janitorial supplies segment.

Industry Specialists and Niche Providers

Specialized Expertise in Specific Market Segments

These companies focus on specialized segments of the jan/san market:

Hillyard - Leading manufacturer and distributor of cleaning and hygiene solutions with 32 distribution centers across the U.S., specializing in floor care.
Kenway Distributors, Inc. - Provides cleaning solutions since 1951, offering specialized expertise in cleaning, maintenance, and janitorial programs.
Ferguson - While primarily known as a plumbing supplier, Ferguson has expanded its janitorial products offering across various markets.
Royal - National single-source supplier of paper, chemicals, sanitary, janitorial, food service, and concession supplies and equipment.
BradyPlus (formerly BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions) - Major industry player with approximately 6,000 employees offering comprehensive janitorial solutions.
Schneider Paper - Independently owned distributor of paper and plastic food service disposables, sanitary maintenance products, and equipment.
CleanSource Inc. - California-based provider known for innovative product offerings and exceptional customer service.

Industry Performance Analysis

The following radar chart compares the relative strengths of the top distributors across five key performance metrics: product range diversity, geographical coverage, e-commerce capabilities, sustainable product offerings, and customer service quality. This analysis provides insight into the competitive landscape of the jan/san distribution industry.

Jan/San Distribution Industry Structure

The following mindmap illustrates the structure of the jan/san distribution industry, highlighting the key categories of distributors, their primary customer segments, and the major product categories they supply. Understanding this structure provides insight into how these distributors position themselves in the market.

mindmap root["Jan/San Distribution Industry"] ["Distributor Types"] ["National Powerhouses"] ["Imperial Dade"] ["Grainger"] ["Essendant"] ["Regional Specialists"] ["WAXIE Sanitary Supply"] ["Brady Industries"] ["Gulf Coast Paper"] ["E-Commerce Leaders"] ["WebstaurantStore"] ["CleanItSupply"] ["Worldwide Janitor"] ["Retail with Commercial Division"] ["Home Depot Pro"] ["Staples"] ["Primary Customer Segments"] ["Healthcare Facilities"] ["Educational Institutions"] ["Commercial Buildings"] ["Hospitality Industry"] ["Industrial Facilities"] ["Food Service"] ["Major Product Categories"] ["Cleaning Chemicals"] ["Paper Products"] ["Equipment & Machinery"] ["Cleaning Tools"] ["Safety Supplies"] ["Green/Sustainable Products"]

Inside a Modern Janitorial Supply Operation

The images below provide a glimpse into the operational aspects of modern janitorial supply distributors, including warehouse organization, product storage, and the types of products typically stocked. These visual representations highlight the scale and complexity of jan/san distribution operations.

Professional janitorial staff utilizing industry-standard cleaning supplies and equipment

Comprehensive janitorial supply catalog showcasing the diverse range of products offered by major distributors

Organized array of essential cleaning supplies and equipment typically distributed by jan/san suppliers

Distributor Specialization Comparison

The following table compares the top jan/san distributors based on their specialized strengths, geographical focus, and unique value propositions. This comparison helps identify which distributors might be best suited for specific customer needs and requirements.

Distributor	Geographic Strength	Primary Specialization	Customer Focus	Unique Value Proposition
Imperial Dade	Nationwide	Full-spectrum jan/san products	Commercial, healthcare, education	Family-owned with personalized service despite large scale
Grainger	Nationwide	Industrial supplies with strong jan/san division	Industrial, manufacturing, facilities management	One-stop shop for industrial and janitorial needs
WAXIE Sanitary Supply	Western US	Commercial cleaning solutions	Schools, universities, healthcare	Training programs and consultative approach
WebstaurantStore	Online (nationwide)	Foodservice and janitorial	Restaurants, hospitality, institutions	Extensive online catalog with competitive pricing
Home Depot Pro	Nationwide	Building maintenance and janitorial	Property management, maintenance professionals	Leverages retail footprint for quick local pickup options
Hillyard	Nationwide	Floor care specialty	Schools, healthcare, government	Proprietary floor care systems and specialty chemicals
Brady Industries	Western US	Cleaning solutions	Hospitality, healthcare, education	Customer-tailored inventory management programs

Industry Video Spotlight

The following video provides insights into the industrial cleaning supplies market, showcasing best places to source products and pricing strategies. This resource is particularly valuable for cleaning businesses looking to optimize their supply chain.

This educational content explores various supply options for cleaning businesses, highlighting key considerations when selecting distributors for industrial cleaning supplies. The video covers important aspects like product quality, pricing structures, and supplier reliability—all crucial factors when evaluating jan/san distributors.