In the late 1890’s, Thomas A. Williams started a business as a manufacturers’ representative in Salt Lake City. Family lore says that his was the first such business west of the Mississippi River. He represented manufacturers of toys, hardware, plumbing, heating and building materials.
In 1918, his son Rex joined him. Together, they acquired excellent lines such as Chase Brass and Copper, Josam, Worley Lockers and Kewaunee Coal Chutes. They somehow survived the Great Depression by selling everything from Holmes Disappearing Beds to Allen Built-Ins (manufacturers of electric house numbers and in-wall milk receivers among other things).
In the late fifties, two of Rex’s sons, Bob and Rex Jr., began working with him, and in 1963 they formally incorporated as Rex W. Williams & Sons. They represented several plumbing and section 10 specialty manufacturers, selling their products in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.
In 1976 Rex Sr. retired at age 80, and his son Bob passed away, leaving Rex Jr. to continue the business.
Rex Jr. was soon joined by his sons, Brooke, Joe, and Tom. In 1989, Brooke took the plumbing product lines and joined forces with another manufacturer’s representative. Rex Jr., Joe, and Tom focused on section 10 specialty products
Rex Jr. worked virtually full time until he was 85, when he finally called it quits. He and his father had more than 100 years of experience between them. They acquired outstanding lines and developed lasting relationships with architects, engineers, contractors, wholesalers, industries and schools throughout the intermountain west.
Since Rex’s retirement and his passing in 2018, Joe and Tom have continued the family business tradition. February 1, 2019 marks the start of a new chapter in the history of Rex W. Williams & Sons as we join forces with Beacon Commercial Door and Lock.
