About Us
The Warehouse 1 Difference
Established in 1988, Warehouse1 provides material handling services and products to a broad range of industries and clients. Our company is a 100% employee-owned small business based in Kansas City, Missouri. While we can ship to regional markets near us within 48 hours (Dallas, Tulsa, Omaha, to name a few), we serve the entire United States and manage government projects world-wide.
● Warehouse1 solves the material handling requirements of clients around the world through an experienced professional staff and a network of highly trained specialists.
● Utilizing our technical knowledge and expertise, Warehouse1 maximizes the use of vertical space and square footage within your existing and new facilities.
● Warehouse1 customizes solutions that best suit your objectives. These solutions include equipment sales, design and installation of moving and storage systems, and full project development and management.
● Our unique ability to integrate new and reconditioned products into an existing infrastructure results in cost competitive solutions.
● Comprehensive levels of in-stock inventory combined with Warehouse1’s central location and nationwide purchasing ability allow us to fulfill your material handling requirements promptly, often cutting material lead times by one to two weeks.
We take pride in building remarkable client relationships through our commitment, accountability and results.
History
In 1984, Mary Lou Jacoby found the opportunity of a lifetime. It wasn’t the legendary Macy’s warehouse full of product. The opportunity was an underdeveloped market and the chance to begin exercising in earnest her incredible energy, ready intellect, and deal-making savvy. The company that grew out of that opportunity, Warehouse1, has exceeded all expectations and proven, along with Mary Lou herself, to be tremendously successful.
To this day, Warehouse1 bears the indelible imprint of Mary Lou Jacoby’s personality, values, and energy. The people that comprise Warehouse1 are encouraged to influence and impact the company. They are an integral part of the unique culture, and have responded to Mary Lou’s challenge by exceptional growth in professional skills and continued commitment to broadening their knowledge base.
Warehouse1 believes that there are three key factors when serving our clients: product solutions for the client’s needs, economical pricing and remarkable turn-key service. Warehouse1 strives to be the client’s first choice every time.
Warehouse1 has developed reconditioning and re-use as an economical alternative to “disposability.” We obtain our primary inventory of used equipment through Fortune 500 companies who are upgrading their warehouse, downsizing or moving. As a secondary source, we offer our smaller clients “trade-in” value for the equipment they are upgrading. With the mixture of new and used inventory, our clients are able to maximize efficiency in their supply chain and effectively invest their working capital.
At Warehouse1, we stand behind every sale. If we make a mistake, we promptly fix it.
Warehouse1 offers multi-tier services. We design the best use of available space. We refurbish equipment in our fabrication shop to fit a customer’s exact needs and situation. We install the equipment in the field. Our primary customers are start-up and expanding small businesses, as well as Fortune 500 companies.
Warehouse1 believes reliable, quality vendors are essential to the foundation that supports our business. We cultivate and value successful vendor relationships to provide solutions for client’s needs. We respect and include those vendors in our vision for joint success. At Warehouse1, we also rely on our vendors to help us anticipate and understand market conditions.
The attention to detail that our sales and fulfillment team provide our customers allows us to guarantee our customers’ satisfaction not only with the material they purchase, but with their experience working with Warehouse1.
Certifications & Awards
General Contractor License Certification
State of Kansas/Missouri General Contractor License Certification
Certified Welding Certifications
American Welding Society D1.1 Certification
American Welding Society D1.3 Certification
Most Valuable Partner Award, Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association
Top 10 Small Business of the Year, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Corporate Report 100 Fastest Growing Companies, Ingram’s Magazine
Inaugural Member of the Inner City 100, Inc Magazine
Initiative for a Competitive Inner City Achievement Award, The Missouri Waste Control Coalition
Distinguished Distributor, Western Pacific Storage Solutions
Partners & Affiliations
The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association is the only national trade association dedicated solely to improving the proficiency of the independent material handling equipment distributor. MHEDA represents all segments of the industry and offers resources such as education, networking opportunities, industry specific information, statistical and trend analysis and all other information specific to the material handling industry.
Most Valuable Partner
Warehouse1 is extremely honored to be recognized as a Most Valuable Partner (MVP) by the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association! Our customers, employees and suppliers have always been our most valued accomplishment. Now it's very humbling to have that care and understanding recognized by one of the most reputable organizations in the Material Handling Industry.
The MVP Program is an award program exclusively for MHEDA Distributor Members. Companies who have attained MVP status demonstrate a commitment to business excellence in customer relations, industry relations, continuing education and industry best practices. This program provides Warehouse1 with a tangible method of validating our company's commitment to our customers, employees and suppliers.
Now, Warehouse1 will continue our laser like focus on our customers, employees and suppliers. In the process, we will hold to this honor, and prove ourselves worthy of not just the accolade, but, the faith our partners have in us.
The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organiza-tion with a goal to advance the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines. From factory floor to high-rise construction, from military weaponry to home products, AWS continues to lead the way in supporting welding education and technology development to ensure a strong, competitive and exciting way of life for all Americans.
The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP) was founded in 1995 by Barnett Helzberg, Jr., former owner and President of Helzberg Diamonds. Inspired by his twenty-three year mentoring relationship with Ewing Kauffman, HEMP matches seasoned, successful entrepreneur mentors with less-experienced entrepreneur mentees. Considerable mentoring is also fostered through peer-to-peer relationships derived from involvement through HEMP. Components of the program include a one-on-one mentoring relationship, networking opportunities with peers and veteran business owners, exposure to mentoring skills that can be applied to any professional or personal situation, business educations discussing greatest successes and lessons learned from peers and top CEOs in the community, and field trips to locations of entrepreneurial interest within the Kansas City area.
The Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce works for the general betterment of the Northeast community, with business being the primary focus. Members are caring volunteers who are eager to promote the commercial, financial, industrial and civic interests of the community. New businesses contribute to the economy of the city and most importantly, the Northeast community. New business creates jobs and improve the surrounding area. Higher employment and better infrastructure increases demand for more products and services, thereby creating a nice place to live.
The Salvation Army, an International movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Salvation Army is a worldwide evangelical Christian church with its own distinctive governance and practice. The Army's doctrine follows the mainstream of Christian belief and its articles of faith emphasize God's saving purposes. The Movement, founded in London, England, in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth, has spread to many parts of the world. The rapid deployment of the first Salvationists was aided by the adoption of a quasi-military command structure in 1878 when the title ‘The Salvation Army' was brought into use. A similarly practical organization today enables resources to be equally flexible.
The Blue Valley Industrial Association has worked on behalf of businesses in the Blue Valley area of Kansas City since it was formed 90 years ago. The association is an advocate for area industrial interests, including the Blue River flood remediation, infrastructure improvements, blight cleanup and most recently, maintaining the Interstate 70/Manchester interchange. In addition, the association provides networking and educational opportunities for its members several times a year.
ISN leads the way in managing information for contractors and suppliers worldwide. Its platform is a premier hub where industry best practices are shared, performance is benchmarked, and members gain valuable data insights. This aids decision makers in evaluating and monitoring the risks associated with contractors and suppliers. Warehouse1 is part of the ISN Network to ensure compliance and safety in our services
Giving Back
Many successful businesses in Kansas City were built by great entrepreneurs and philanthropists: Hallmark, Marion Laboratories and AMC Theaters. Business leaders, like the late Ewing Kauffman, understand the leading role businesses take in supporting their community.
Warehouse1 was built with the same entrepreneurial spirit. Like Mr. K., Warehouse1 believes we succeed when we help others succeed.
Giving back to our community through donations of time, material and equipment to charitable groups and non-profit organizations allows them to better use their available capital.
Some of the organizations Warehouse1 has partnered with to strengthen Kansas City are:
● Bishop Sullivan Center
● Kansas City Pro Bowl
● Boy Scouts of America
● St. Vincent’s Family Center
● Collaboration Works
● KCPT Public Television
● The Light House
● Don Bosco Centers
● Little Sisters of the Poor
● The Salvation Army
● Food for the Poor
● Missouri Task Force
● Guadalupe Center
● Multiple Sclerosis Society
● Kansas City Habitat
● Whatsoever Community Center
● Kansas City Museum
● Notre Dame de Sion School
● Women of the World
● United States Probation Office
● Vaughn-Trent Community Services
● Municipal Correctional Institution
We're always looking to help out wherever, and whenever, we can. If your favorite non-profit is in need of material handling, warehouse or storage equipment, let us know. If we don't have what you're needing, we can utilize our network of colleagues to try and find it! Together, we can make a difference!