Resource Plus Company History
Resource Plus provides services and innovative merchandising strategies on a national basis for prominent marketers throughout the retail industry. Capabilities include remerchandising resets, new store set-ups, remodels, relocations, merchandising and special projects formulated to meet a particular client need or request. The company presently engages over 850 full time employees throughout the United States.
Joseph "Joe" L. Paulk founded Resource Plus in 1997 as part of a group of companies operated by Central Garden and Pet, a California company. Using Jacksonville, Florida as a base of operations, Mr. Paulk began his initial enterprise with 2 office employees and 15 field operatives who followed the simple tenet of keeping promises to clients and always honoring the guarantee of acceptable result. This concise strategy produced a reputation for reliability and quality control.
Following a period of significant growth generated by the burgeoning reputation of Resource Plus, the company was split into 2 divisions in 1998. The Merchandising Services Division controlled all merchandising concerns and the Installation Division dealt with new store set up, remodels, fixture programs and related projects.
In 2000 Mr. Paulk decided to gain independent ownership of Resource Plus. He enlisted the help of Richard Justus who became his partner in the investment. This alliance of finances and industry expertise resulted in a restructuring of the company that enabled reduction of costs and a significant increase in sales. Under this new executive management structure with Richard Justus as President & CEO, and Joe Paulk as Vice-President, Resource Plus ended its first quarter of operation as a profitable endeavor and has continued to replicate these auspicious results with each new project as it unfolds.
Significant Event Years
- 1997
- Joseph "Joe" L. Paulk founded Resource Plus in February of 1997 as part of a group of companies operated by Central Garden and Pet, a California company. Using Jacksonville, Florida as a base of operations, Mr. Paulk began his initial enterprise with 2 office employees and 15 field operatives.
- 1997
- Resource Plus is retained by a major home improvement retailer for fixture installation projects. These projects include new store set-ups in Home Decor and Flooring.
- 1998
- Following a period of significant growth Resource Plus is split into 2 divisions. The Services Division controls all merchandising concerns and the Installation Division deals with installation programs and related projects.
- 1999
- The Services Division continues to grow, expanding into cleaning chemicals. Service projects for this year include most major cellular telephone carriers in Discount/Specialty Stores and special service programs in west coast regional outlets.
- 2000
- Resource Plus undergoes restructure and becomes independently owned.
- 2001
- The Resource Plus proactive philosophy is exemplified by a proposal in 2001 to structure a special dedicated group to provide service for a National Home Improvement retailer in the Lawn and Garden Department (LGSR). This proposal was favorably received by the retailer and a subsidiary to the Merchandising Services Division is created under the banner of the Resource Plus Lawn and Garden Division. This division initially employs 84 people and operates as one of the premier service programs in the retail industry. Resource Plus is the first company to develop innovative web reporting for its clients.
- 2002
- The LGSR Program continues to grow and test new implementations. The Installation Division expands into remerchandising assignments, in addition to installation projects for other major retailers.
- 2003
- Resource Plus refines the Lawn and Garden Division and expands the employee base. Plans are initiated for a support facility to be constructed in Mooresville, NC. The Installation Division continues to increase its presence in new store set-up programs and retail grocery projects.
- 2004
- Construction is completed on the 30,000 square feet office, plan-o-gram and warehouse facility in Mooresville, NC. The Lawn and Garden Division now employs over 600 people nationwide for the LGSR Program in over 1000 retail locations across the United States. The Installation Division is now comprised of over 150 experienced installation and merchandising professionals and participating in over 700 new store set-ups for home improvement centers and over 100 projects for grocery chains.
- 2005
- This year marks the beginning of extensive diversification for the Installation Division. In addition to ongoing projects in new store set-up and remerchandising programs, the Installation Division performs projects for National Discount/Department retailers and arts and crafts/hobby stores. This expansion continues into other specialty retailers and grocery projects.
- 2006
- Resource Plus experiences another watershed year. Ongoing expansion projects for specialty home/house wares and national office supply outlets are initiated. The company infrastructure is realigned to accommodate the exponential growth and the Merchandising Services Division develops the office, furniture and specialty store market.