History of Jensen

O.C. Jensen left Denmark as a young man to seek fortune among the opportunities being offered in America. After making his way to California, he heard of the growth occurring in the Northwest and decided to settle in the Sprague territory of what is now Washington State. O.C. and his first partner, Henry Brooke, started a hardware business in 1883 that specialized in the needs of the homesteads and fledgling businesses of the day. It was known as Jensen, Brooke & Company.

Henry Brooke later sold his interest to Charles King and the business operated under the name Jensen King & Co. through 1895. In 1896, a fire destroyed much of the town of Sprague. The decision was made to merge with the firm of Wolverton and Byrd, move the new operation to the town of Spokane, and incorporate under the name Jensen-King-Byrd. After a few years of expansion the Company settled in its current location on Riverside Ave. in Spokane. J. Scott and Alvin L. Jensen, sons of O.C., purchased Mr. King's interest in 1925 and changed the name to Jensen-Byrd Co..

Several large acquisitions took place over the subsequent years including the purchase of the Spokane branch of Marshall Wells in 1958 and the 1981 purchase of Pacific Marine Scwabacher, a Seattle based wholesaler that was the largest in the Northwest at the time. The Company had now grown to service 11 western states.

Jensen-Byrd Co. became an owner/member of Liberty Distributors in the early 1950's and continued this commitment through the merger
of Liberty and Sentry in 1991, forming
Distribution America, the largest independent wholesale hardware organization in the country.

In 1987 Jensen-Byrd continued its commitment
to the future by building a state of the art 252,000 square foot distribution center West of Spokane. In 2004 an additional 130,000 sq. ft. was added to our Distribution Center. Continued growth influenced the decision to build an additional 147,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, which was completed in spring of 2007.

With so many changes taking place within the Company and within the retail industry, the decision was made to change the name once again. On April 22, 1995, Jensen-Byrd Co. became Jensen Distribution Services, to demonstrate the true nature of what the organization has become…a complete distribution services company.

Today, Jensen Distribution Services is a major employer in the Spokane area, as well as employing sales professionals throughout the West. Jensen Distribution Services carries over 58,000 items including; paint and paint sundries, hardware, hand and power tools, lawn and garden, electrical, plumbing, housewares, and outdoor living. Customers include independent retailers as well as large chain store accounts in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington.

Michael Jensen, fourth generation family member has continued in the founders tradition and business spirit while expanding the business at record levels. 2008 represents 125 years of service to retailers throughout the west.