Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesEngineering & Construction

Mills Supply and Gates & Sons: A Lasting Partnership

Long-term supplier partnerships can eliminate costly rework that plagues nearly a third of construction projects

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Engineering & Construction teams put it to work with Partner & Channel Enablement.

By Shanice Bennerson · Construction SupplyGates & Sons ConcreteInnovationMill Supply
Share

Key takeaways

01

Long-term supplier partnerships can eliminate costly rework that plagues nearly a third of construction projects

According to a study highlighted on Essential Construction News, broken communication in the construction industry lead to 30% of projects being reworked. Reworking a project caused businesses a monetary loss between 7% and 15% of the total budget. A potential solution to this issue is investing in long-lasting partnerships rooted in trust, innovation, and shared values that are integral in construction supply. A great example of positive relationship building is the relationship between Mills Supply and Gates & Sons Concrete.

Mills Supply is a family-owned company originating from a small shop in Louisville, Kentucky. Established in 1991, this business grew into a formidable player in the industry, boasting nearly 150 employees today. Remarkably, Mill Supply's core values have remained consistent over these decades, emphasizing the importance of customer-centric approaches and innovative solutions.

Gates & Sons Concrete stands out, not just for its product knowledge but also for pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the industry. Their commitment to innovation, training, quality, and service has resonated with partners like Mill Supply. Amie Schardein from Purchasing at Gates & Sons Concrete comments, "The relationship between Mills Supply and Gates & Sons Concrete is one that we've built on friendship. Gates has always been a leader in the construction supply industry."

The relationship between Mills Supply and Gates & Sons Concrete is one that we've built on friendship. Gates has always been a leader in the construction supply industry.
— Amie Schardein, Purchasing at Gates & Sons Concrete

A true testament to the strength and longevity of their partnership is their shared ethos: always prioritize the customer. On this note, Amie provides deeper insights into this enduring relationship. "We feel it's important that we've partnered with vendors that have those same values. We look forward to working with Gates to provide our customers with the best quality product out there," states Amie.

We feel it's important that we've partnered with vendors that have those same values. We look forward to working with Gates to provide our customers with the best quality product out there.
— Amie Schardein, Purchasing at Gates & Sons Concrete

Amie Schardein, Purchasing at Mills Supply, shares her perspective on the partnership:

The relationship between Mill Supply and Gates is one that we've built on friendship. Gates has always been a leader in the construction supply industry that has taken product knowledge to the next level. Since 1991, Mill Supply has been in business. Instrinctly, We are a family company. Together, my parents started it together in a little shop in Louisville, Kentucky, and today has grown to almost 150 employees. Furthermore, the core values that we had 30-something years ago are still important today.

Given this, we feel it's important that we've partnered with vendors that have those same values. We put the customer first and delivered on the product, innovation, and training. Consistently, we deliver anything that our customers and salesmen need to get that product out. Currently, we look forward to working with Gates to provide our customers with the best quality product that is out on the market right now. And we feel that Gates can provide service, on quality, innovation, and on training. We want to partner with Gates to take the industry in Louisville to the next step. Because of this, Gates can deliver quickly to fix any problem that we have. Today, we value that partnership just as much as we did when we opened our doors in 1991.

Video TranscriptExpand ↓

The relationship between mill supply and gates is one that we've built on friendship. Gates has always been the leader in construction supply industry and has has taken that product knowledge to the next level. Mil Supply has been in business since nineteen ninety one. We are a family company My parents started it together in a little shop in Louisville, Kentucky, and today has grown to almost one hundred and fifty employees. The core values that we had thirty something years ago are still important today. We feel it's important that we've partnered with vendors that have those same values. Put the customer first and delivered on product, on innovation, on training, on anything that our customers need, our salesman need to get that product out. We look forward to working with Gates to provide our customers with the best quality product that is out on the market now, and we feel that Gates can provide on service on quality, innovation, and on training. We want to partner with Gates to take the industry in Louisville to the next step. Gates can deliver quickly to fix any problem that we have. And we value that partnership just as much today as we did when we opened our doors in nineteen ninety one.

About the author

SB
Shanice Bennerson

Engineering & Construction: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Engineering & Construction buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's expertise into articles, video, and social posts. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Engineering & Construction Insights

AI moves from back office to job site in construction's next build-out

AI moves from back office to job site in construction's next build-out

McCarthy Building Companies has entered a multimillion-dollar agreement with Palantir to enhance AI adoption. However, RICS experts highlight that data readiness and organizational culture pose significant challenges. This development signals a shift in integrating AI within construction sectors.

  • 01McCarthy Building Cos. signs a major deal with Palantir.
  • 02Data readiness is a critical hurdle for AI integration.
  • 03Organizational culture impacts AI adoption in construction.

Jul 11, 2026

South Korea commits $7.5 billion to AI-autonomous manufacturing as smart factory count hits 30,000

South Korea commits $7.5 billion to AI-autonomous manufacturing as smart factory count hits 30,000

South Korea is investing $7.5 billion in advancing AI-autonomous manufacturing, with a significant increase in smart factories, now totaling 30,000. The initiative also targets the development of 100 AI manufacturing zones throughout the country.

  • 01South Korea invests $7.5 billion in AI-autonomous manufacturing.
  • 02There are currently 30,000 smart factories in South Korea.
  • 03The government aims to develop 100 AI manufacturing zones.

Jul 11, 2026

Construction's productivity crisis: why ML cost forecasting and off-site methods are converging

Construction's productivity crisis: why ML cost forecasting and off-site methods are converging

U.S. construction productivity has decreased since 1968. Machine learning models and off-site construction methods are becoming pivotal in bridging this productivity gap by providing accurate cost forecasting and efficient building practices.

  • 01U.S. construction productivity has been declining since 1968.
  • 02Machine learning models offer enhanced cost forecasting capabilities.
  • 03Off-site construction methods contribute to improved project efficiency.

Jul 10, 2026

Explore More Engineering & Construction Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Engineering & Construction.

Browse Engineering & Construction Hub

About the Expert

SB
Shanice Bennerson