Neenan Supply Expands to Meet Steam Shower and Bathroom Product Needs

Neenan Supply Company, a 60-year old wholesale plumbing supply house boasting two showrooms and nine warehouses throughout Kansas and Missouri, is so confident in the local economic recovery that it will soon christen a third showroom so it can meet expanding steam shower and bathroom product needs. 

According to Tom Rowe, showroom manager at the location in Johnson County, Kansas, took a hit in residential construction projects during the recession just like the rest of the country, but the market has since been enjoying a steady recovery.

“We’ve seen growing demand in single-family construction, as well as established homeowners upgrading and remodeling their living spaces,” says Rowe, who notes specific gains among empty nesters seeking to “age in place,” as well as younger families buying their first home or a move-up. According to Rowe, it’s not uncommon for customers in this market to budget $25K to $50K on bathroom renovations, depending on the scope.

Seeking to capitalize on these trends, the company is working to attract customers in both Kansas and Missouri by locating its new Leawood Kansas showroom a mere 100 feet from the Missouri border, literally on State Line Road. The 10,000-square-foot location will include roughly 4,500-square-feet of kitchen and bathroom showroom space on the main floor, with a future training facility, public event space and full commercial kitchen planned for upstairs.

“We wanted our new showroom to be located in a high traffic and high profile area to expand our presence, especially among upscale buyers,” explains Rowe. Indeed, the two-story location will be situated among popular restaurants, stores and landmarks common to residents on both sides of the border. The new flagship location will complement Neenan’s two other showrooms; a 3,000-square-foot space in Overland Park and a smaller 1,500-square-foot showroom in Liberty.

From Faucets To Steam Showers With Inspirational Vignettes

Each Neenan Supply showroom features inspirational vignettes, residential and commercial fixtures, and related products, while warehouse and counter locations stock more than 70,000 SKUs of piping, valves, fittings, and fixtures.

“We carry an extensive line of plumbing supplies and products from faucets to water heaters to steam showers,” says Rowe, who notes Neenan has carried the MrSteam line for roughly six years with great success. In fact, one Neenan team member, Katie Orpin, recently won a trip to Australia through MrSteam’s Passport to Sydney program, which provides showroom and sales associates with sales incentives and enhanced sales tools. “MrSteam really goes out of its way to build fruitful relationships with showroom partners,” says Orpin.

Steam Showers For Convenient Relaxation

The move toward steam and steam showers has a market-driven impetus. “Our remodeling customers are increasingly turning toward showers rather than soaking tubs or giant whirlpools. In this fast-paced world, people still want time to relax and unwind, but they want it to be convenient and efficient. While bathtubs take a while filling up, a shower is nearly instantaneous and immediately gratifying.”

In addition to desiring fixtures that meet the needs of their modern lifestyles, our customers also want fashion-forward designs and stylish showpieces for their home. “Aesthetics play a key role in how customers are designing their bathrooms,” explains Rowe. “Typically, they install tiled showers with a glass door and two shower heads, and pay particular attention to upgraded finishes and styles.” In short, today’s consumer is seeking convenience that also pleases the senses.

He says that because there is a proclivity for luxury showers, many homeowners are excited to learn that they can enjoy the spa-like indulgence of a home steam shower.

“Steam allows for the same relaxation you might enjoy in a soaking tub, minus the preparation and cleanup,” explains Rowe.

>> See Steam Bathing 101: Seven Steps For an Effective Steam Bath

>> See Home Steam Showers 101

Admittedly, steam is one of those things that you don’t know you’re missing until you experience it for yourself. “The bulk of our steam sales come from people asking about the product,” mentions Rowe. “They return from various hotels, resorts and spas where they experience the benefits of steam for the first time and decide they would like something similar in their homes.”

>> Explore steam around the world.

Overall, people who have experienced steam praise the feeling of overall wellness they enjoy after a steam session. They also recognize its role in opening pores, clearing up air passages and reducing stress. “It fits with today’s healthy lifestyle trends,” asserts Rowe. “With so many people focusing on exercise and dieting, the benefits of steam supplement society’s current emphasis on wellness. Steam is also great for hangovers, so I have heard,” laughs Rowe.

Neenan’s Overland Park showroom has a working steam shower that customers can try out before purchasing, and also sample the various steam accessories that heighten the sensory experience, like ChromaSteam, AudioWizard and AromaSteam.

In the future, Neenan hopes to open additional showrooms in Topeka and Wichita, which would bring the total number of locations to 13. “We want to ensure we can make our products, including steam, accessible and convenient to as many customers as possible,” states Rowe.

As the home building and remodeling market in Johnson County and, indeed, the rest of Kansas and Missouri continues to grow, Neenan Supply intends to grow with it. “There exists a growing demand for quality bathroom products, and we aim to meet it head on,” Rowe concludes.