A glimpse into Cunningham Industrial Supply Company—and the father and son team that makes it all go. 

Words by Justin Hunter | Images by Blakeney Clouse 

While driving up Highway 5 toward Haleyville in the fall of 2000, Jim Cunningham had an epiphany that God wanted him to start his own business. 

 At the time, he was in his seventh year as the outside sales representative for Jasper Industrial Maintenance Supply (JIMS) and was on a delivery call when the divine whisper hit his heart. 

 “I felt like it was the Lord speaking to my heart that day to start the business,” Jim says, reflecting on the inspired origins of Cunningham Industrial Supply Company. “I believe that because the moment is so vivid in my memory. I can take you to the very spot on the highway. It changed my life for the good.”

 Jim didn’t allow that thought to slip away, but made it a catalyst for his journey into entrepreneurship. Nor did he let age deter him. After all, he was 54 years old—a station in life when some men are rounding third base in their careers and headed toward retirement—when he implemented his strategy to develop and grow his business. 

 With the financial support of his wife’s uncle, Archie Sullivan, Jim’s plan eventually became a reality. Within 30 days of the business’ inception, Jim went from renting inventory space in a friend’s warehouse to purchasing the old International Paper Company building and property on Highway 269. Now Cunningham Industrial Supply Company is a multi-million-dollar small business owned and operated by father-and-son team of Jim and his son, Jimbo. Jim’s son-in-law, Justin Mitchell, and long-time friend Barry Woodman make the business complete.

 Over the last two decades, the company has grown into an international distributor of nuts, bolts, fasteners, and specialty parts for customers in 25 of the 50 states, as well as Canada and Mexico. The local business is also one the largest importers of fasteners in the Southeast because of its unique relationship with manufacturers in northern China. Souvenirs from the family’s 19 trips to China decorate the office, which is located at the intersection of Hwy 269 and 69 in downtown Jasper. 

 One of the secret ingredients of success of the business is the healthy interpersonal relationship between father and son. “Jimbo and I have never had a fight,” Jim says proudly. “We work well together as a team. Both of us are easygoing, have similar mannerisms, and have lots of the same ideas. Another blessing I have every day is I have the opportunity to work with my son. It’s a truly unique experience.”

 Though Cunningham Industrial began as a solo business venture in 2000, Jim’s heart was always to have a family business. So in 2003, Jimbo said goodbye to a career in civil engineering to become his dad’s business partner. At the time, Jimbo’s wife, Cheri, was in dental school and was expecting the couple’s first child, a boy named Clayton. Initially, the transition did not appear to be timely, but Jimbo trusted his father’s business vision. Seventeen years later, he still feels he made the right decision. “I didn’t have any experience in sales when I came to work at Cunningham Industrial, but I saw it as an opportunity to work with Dad and be a business owner,” he says. “I grew up in Jasper, and it has been nice working here. I know a lot of guys who say they couldn’t work with their father, but I enjoy getting to see Dad every day.” 

 At 74 years old, Jim isn’t slowing down or even considering the possibility of retirement. His unrelenting passion for the business is anchored to three intertwined chords: faith, family, and future. His heart is continuing to steward his gift from the Lord faithfully, to provide a comfortable retirement for his family, and eventually pass the torch to Jimbo.

 “I’m excited about taking over someday,” Jimbo says, regarding the future of the business. “The only thing I wanted to do was to keep the business the way it is. I’m not looking to change anything, but to keep with the steady growth.”

 “There is a lot of satisfaction when you are successful in a small family business,” adds Jim. “We are blessed beyond measure.” 78