Jim Redmill’s Secret Weapon

Twenty-eight years ago, Jim Redmill launched his own industrial supply store, JIMS. Today that business is thriving because of a great staff—and the Golden Rule

Words by Terrell Manasco | Images by Blakeney Clouse

In 1964, a Walker High School junior stood at attention, raised his hand, and swore to defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. 

The next year, young Jim Redmill donned a cap and gown, marched across a stage, and accepted his high school diploma. Many of his classmates would later celebrate this momentous milestone in various ways, but Jim, who had enlisted in the National Guard the previous year, had little time for youthful revelries.

“I had to be in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on May 25th to begin basic training,” Jim explains. “I had planned to go to college at Auburn, but things get turned around in your life.”

 After completing his tour of duty, Jim worked for Bell Telephone Company for five years, during which time he also became a husband and father. In the early 1970s, he left the phone company to accept another job offer. “My father-in-law at the time wanted me to go to work in his business, Walker Industrial Supply Company, or WISCO,” Jim says. 

 Jim, in his own words, “knew nothing about a business,” but worked his way up, serving as WISCO’s manager for 15 years before deciding to start his own business. In April 1992, he opened Jasper Industrial Maintenance Supply, which was then located on 19th Street in the old Brakefield Lumber Company building. 

 If Jim had any doubts about the success of his new business, they evaporated like steam swirling over his morning coffee. He says that family on both sides played a major part. “My dad and uncle would come down and put up shelving,” Jim recalls. And the staff, though few in number, was experienced and dedicated. JIMS was off to a good start, adding a Haleyville store a year later. 

 In 1995, the business relocated to its current location, the former KantWet building on 10th Avenue near Delta Transfer. Vacant for years, the building had to be heavily renovated due to its dilapidated condition. 

 More employees were added to match the growing customer base, and fortunately Jim was able to do so without losing quality. “No business is any better than the folks you've got working for you, and I've been very fortunate to have very good people,” he says. “You don't have to be the smartest person in your business but try to surround yourself with people who are smart and know how to handle whatever tasks they are assigned.”

Then, in January 2000, Jim watched in horror as searing-hot flames ripped through the warehouse of his beloved business. Although Jim reckons the odds were against recovery, Fate thumbed its nose at those odds and JIMS never lost a day of business. 

Today, JIMS continues to serve a wide range of customers by offering excellent service and quality industrial supply items including chemicals, electrical and lighting, hand and power tools, cleaning and painting supplies, hoses and fittings, outdoor equipment, small engine parts, plumbing, and more. 

In addition to hiring an experienced, knowledgeable staff, Jim is a staunch believer in taking care of the customer—regardless. “I always say you just treat people like you want to be treated, and most of the time you're going to come out okay,” he says. “The most important thing I’ve learned is the old adage, the customer is always right. You've got to serve your customer.”

Sometimes that includes in-depth conversations with customers to help them find what they need. Other times, it may be simply greeting them. “I stress to my people, when somebody walks through that door, we need to acknowledge that they are here and we’re ready to help them,” Jim says. “That's always been a priority for us here. I know this is a little thing, but I hate to go somewhere to buy something and somebody is waiting on me and they take a phone call. I've always stressed that the guy in the store is the most important person right now.”

Away from work, Jim likes to relax with family and friends. You can also find him playing a few rounds of golf, his favorite pastime, or going hunting. “I actually killed my first turkey last year on my 72nd birthday,” he says. “It was a nice gobbler.” 

A runner since he was 30 years old, Jim has participated in several marathons in the past. Most recently, he ran the 2011 Music City Half Marathon in Nashville. Now a septuagenarian, Jim has scaled back a bit but still cranks out a few miles each week. “I enjoy running because it helps prove to myself that I’m able to persevere. There’s always a personal goal involved when you’re young enough, but now, instead of setting a personal best, I do my personal worst,” Jim laughs. “I love being outside and it gives me a little ‘to myself’ time.” 

Nearly 30 years ago, Jim Redmill stepped out on his own and launched a new business. In spite of recessions, depressions, and a fire, Jasper Industrial Maintenance Supply is still standing, and thriving, today. Some may credit that to business savvy, serendipity, or even blind luck. The truth is, Jim has always had a secret weapon in his arsenal.  

“The biggest asset I’ve had through the years is having great people working with me— not for me,” he says. 78