A.G. Heins Company: A Century of Excellence

A.G. Heins Company celebrates its 105th anniversary in Knoxville, upholding the very same values that existed at its founding back in 1920

For 105 years, the A.G. Heins Company has been more than just a supplier of building materials—it’s been a cornerstone of Knoxville’s construction industry and community. Founded in 1920 by A.G. Heins Sr., the company began humbly, with the elder Heins riding horseback to meet customers as a salesman for Philip Carey Manufacturing. At just 33 years old, he started his own distributorship, laying the foundation for a 105 year-old family legacy that continues into its fourth generation of the Heins family.

“We moved into our current location on Heins Street in 1925,” recalls A. Gordon Heins III, current president and grandson of the founder. “Our founder, my grandfather, worked every day. In fact, he was still active in the business when I joined in 1981. Six months later, my long-time friend Jon B. Williams, who trained me as an architect, joined us and has helped guide the company for the 44 years he has been here.”

A Family Legacy

At 27, Gordon became vice president of the family company, stepping into a close-knit workplace where he learned the business from the ground up, having begun working in the warehouse and unloading rail cars at age 13. “There were wooden dunnage pieces in those cars that my grandfather had us pull out, straighten the nails, and use to build our warehouses,” he says. 

This hands-on experience, work ethic, and what he calls his grandfather’s “thriftiness,” not only grounded the company’s day-to-day operations, but also incorporated the values that still guide the company today.

“A.G. Heins has not reached 105 years simply by supplying building materials,” he says. Despite the rise of big-box retailers and shifting consumer habits, A.G. Heins has thrived by doing what the national chains can’t—offering service rooted in firsthand experience. “Our employees have actually used the products we sell,” says Gordon. 

Exceptional Inventory & Service

Today, the company boasts an inventory of more than 3,000 building products, specializing in masonry, roofing, concrete, plaster, and chemicals. The products come from nationally recognized manufacturers such as Dupont, Quikrete, Sika, SpecChem, Wire Bond, Buzzi, Nudura, and W. R. Meadows. 

Contractors come to this experienced sales team seeking product recommendations and project-specific consultations, knowing the level of service and expertise they’ll obtain. 

In fact, the Associated General Contractors of America, Knoxville Chapter, has selected A.G. Heins Company as Supplier of the Year for an unprecedented six times, a testament to the level of service they receive from this century-old institution.

“Just as importantly, everyone here understands that how we treat our customers is everything. Whether it’s a walk-in homeowner or a large general contractor, every customer is greeted with the same level of care. As my grandfather told me, you get up from your desk, go to the counter, greet the customer, and see that sale all the way through.”

A Culture of Gratitude

While the customer is “everything” at A.G. Heins, importantly, so is the employee. The company prides itself on being a “destination employer,” says Gordon, with many team members staying for decades. One original employee, Ruth Love, worked for the company for 50 years. “Ruth was instrumental in guiding the company through World War II while my father was serving in the Army. This 105-year anniversary celebration would not be possible without her contributions, as well as those of all of our employees.”

Celebrating a Community

As A.G. Heins celebrates its 105th year, the future looks bright. Gordon, now 71, has no plans to retire, and his three children—Anna, Jacob, and Alex, all in their 40’s—are fully involved as a fourth-generation leadership team. Alex joined the company in 2005 and is vice president and manager of the Tri-Cities satellite office. Jacob followed his brother in 2006 and serves as vice president and sales manager. Anna came on board in 2012 and is secretary/treasurer and administrative manager.

“I see us not just as a company that sells building materials, but as part of the fabric of the Knoxville community,” says Gordon. “As a company, we‘re very active in all the construction organizations, and we’re also active in the community. I’ve coached youth soccer for 38 years and my son Jacob is coaching his children’s soccer team now.”

For this company, it’s about more than business — it’s about building relationships and being involved in the community. “That’s what’s important to us,” Gordon says, “leaving our community better than we found it.”

A.G. Heins Company
116 Heins Street
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 525-5363
agheins.com