To Ronald Scott the owner of RS Supply LLC., operating his business means more than supplying and delivering janitorial and sanitary products. It is a combination of providing quality products, good service as well as helping others and giving back to the community.
“I appreciate the support and confidence my customers have given me throughout the years,” said Scott who has been in business nearly a decade. Alma Illery Medical Center is one patron that has been with him from the beginning. As a way to demonstrate his appreciation, Scott for Thanksgiving provided turkeys and food for patients from the Medical Center’s sites throughout the Mon Valley.
An appreciative recipient of Scott’s kindness, Vietnam Veteran and Homewood resident, Bruce Snyder indicated that the food basket will help his family tremendously. “It’s good to be able to put a turkey and a full meal on my mother-in-laws table for Thanksgiving. She is 84 years old and taking care of an ill son.”
“Ron’s contribution is appreciated,” said Wilford Payne, executive director of the Primary Health Care Center. This is a big plus and you don’t see businesses giving back that often.”
Since 1976 Alma Illery Primary Health Center has been addressing the special health needs of a multicultural, predominately low-income population. The Center provides comprehensive health care services, including primary, oral, and mental and substance abuse care, as well as supportive services. Other than its headquarters at 7227 Hamilton Avenue and Westinghouse High School in Homewood it has centers located in Braddock, Duquesne, Hazelwood, the Hill District, McKeesport, Rankin, the Steel Valley, the West End and Wilkinsburg.
Coupled with his conviction that, to which much is given, much is required, Scott also believes that Black owned businesses should support other Black businesses. “I purchased the turkeys from the East Hills Giant Eagle owned by Debbie Hickman,” he said. He indicated that Black consumers have a lot of buying power. “We have to support our own.” According to the 2013 State of the African-American Consumer Report conducted by the NNPA and Nielsen, African-American buying power is expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2017.
RS Supply, LLC, Scott describes as carrying an extensive line of janitorial and sanitary products. “We strive to provide our clients with products from the highest quality manufacturers at competitive prices.” He said he and his vice president of sales, George Massie represent an in-depth knowledge of products and their performance characteristics that enables them to address the unique needs of their customers. Some janitorial, sanitation and bathroom categories of products they sell include; aerosols, brooms and brushes, carpet care, cleaning chemicals, cleaning equipment, floor and hand pads, liners, microfiber products, mops, odor control, restroom paper products, skin care, laundry and dish detergents.
Based in Homewood at 6629 Hamilton Avenue a third of the time he has been in business, Scott says he appreciates his customers such as the Alma Illery Medical Center. “It allows our comprehensive line of products and solutions to enhance their productivity, efficiency and cost control.” He outlined his clientele as consisting of churches, daycares, hospitals, office buildings, convention centers, developers and property management firms and small businesses. The University of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Pirates he said are longtime customers.
Eger to accommodate his customers and to provide the highest level of service, RS Supply offers a Customer Service Vision and Mission Statement, a Quality Policy Statement and a Corporate Mission Statement. All are focused on providing quality products, professional service and total quality management. His corporate mission statement is that the company combines its responsiveness, expertise and skilled professionals by delivering products and solutions, at competitive prices to help solve its customer’s business challenges. “We build partnerships with our customers to meet deliverables and achieve results,” he pointed out.
Very active in organizations that enhance his business acumen, Scott says organizations like the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania and the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council have been very beneficial for his business. He also holds MBE/WBE certifications with Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, the State of Pennsylvania, the Port Authority, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, NMSDC and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority.
With the motto that RS Supplies is your reliable source for paper products, janitorial and sanitation supplies, Scott says it all means nothing if he does not remember and thank those that have helped him along the journey. “Alma Illery has been a steady client throughout the years and I want to say thank you and show appreciation for their continuous support,” said Scott. “The best way for me to do that is by giving back to the group that services a population that can use the assistance.”
