Serving Iowa for over 70 years

Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. was founded in 1937 by Peter Mancuso under the name of Iowa Supply Company.  Pete Mancuso purchased supplies from small dealers and resold them to area food service operators.  He traveled to his accounts by street car with notebook in hand, taking orders and personally delivering the next day.  As his business grew, he purchased a truck and sold the supplies out of his vehicle.  Wakonda Club continues to be a loyal Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. account that Peter Mancuso established in 1937. 

Iowa Supply Company opened their first office-warehouse on Walnut Street near the Des Moines River in the early 40’s. Growth forced them to move to a larger facility on East 5th and Walnut Street several years later.  In 1952 Pete Mancuso’s son, Nick, joined his father in the business. With three other employees, they generated about $100,000 in annual sales.

The company incorporated in 1961 but was unable to use the Iowa Supply Company name.  Hence, the Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. name was born. 

In 1980 the company constructed a new show room, administrative office, and warehouse facility on two acres in Guthrie Industrial Park in Des Moines.  At that time the company had grown to 20 employees and sales over two million dollars.  For the next 15 years Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. continued to grow, concentrating on the food service and lodging industries.

When Nick Mancuso approached retirement age he decided to sell his business.  In June of 1996, Bill Weidmaier acquired Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc.  Following two years of reorganization, the company was in a position to increase its business without sacrificing its long standing reputation for top level service to its customers.

Today Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc.'s current customer base continues to include the finest restaurants, hotels, and country clubs in central Iowa.  Food service accounts for 25% of its annual sales.  IDMS food service customers range from the small casual Coney Island, to the sports oriented Legends Bar and Grill restaurants, to the Gateway Markets, to the fine dining Embassy Club and The Des Moines Club. 

The lodging industry continues to be a significant customer segment, accounting for 25% of the IDMS business.  The Hotel Fort Des Moines has been a loyal customer for over 60 years.  Most Holiday Inns and Super 8’s in central Iowa are Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. customers, in addition to the Stoney Creek Hospitality chain, Adventureland Inn, and the majority of other hotel properties in central Iowa. 

Since 1998 Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. has successfully pursued growth outside the lodging and food service industries, growing three-fold since the acquisition.  IDMS has added many reputable central Iowa companies to its account list including Aviva USA Corporation, Knapp Properties, R&R Investors, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Anderson Erickson Dairy, Dahls Food Marts, Hy-Vee Corporation, Caseys General Stores, Ball Construction, and Adventureland Park.

In addition Prairie Meadows Casino, Des Moines Public Schools, Central College, Grandview College, and Iowa State University are excellent accounts.

In 2005 an industrial packaging distributor was acquired by Bill Weidmaier, and merged with Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc.  This acquisition added a number of packaging and manufacturing accounts to the IDMS customer list allowing the sales department to cross sell the existing product categories to these new accounts. 

Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc.  also expanded into division 10 specialty construction products,  and safety supplies in 2005.

Bill Weidmaier has continued the tradition of Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. as a family business.  In 1996 his son, Todd, left a sales management position to join Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc.  Todd currently serves as Vice-President of Sales. 

Bill’s daughter, Keri Ellingboe, worked full time for the company until she started her family.  Keri spearheads special projects which includes the re-design of our website.

Today the company continues the proud tradition of the excellent service that Peter Mancuso established.  Though the dynamics of the business world have changed dramatically since those early days, the basics for success remain the same.  Through the excellence of the IDMS personnel and the internal processes, the company continues to succeed and grow through the highest level of service and favorable prices.  This old fashion formula continues to produce results… since 1937.   

Please review our website as you will appreciate what you see.  More importantly, conduct business with Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. and appreciate the ease and value we bring you.