About Diversified Spec. Sales, Inc.
Your Manufacturers Representative
Diversified Spec. Sales, Inc. is a premier manufacturers’ representative of plumbing products throughout Michigan. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical and professional product representation standards as an agency, providing maximum long-term value to our partners.
Our purpose as a manufacturers representative is to serve Architects, Interior Designers, Engineers, Wholesalers, Contractors, and Owners (including automakers and universities), helping them make product decisions that meet and exceed their performance goals. In addition, we provide our Manufacturing Partners with market intelligence, forecasting, pricing, and project analytics as we implement their sales strategies in our marketplace.
Our Mission
We help our partners quickly find the answers they need to obtain the best products for their plumbing projects, no matter the scope or size.
Our Vision
To equip the world with advanced product solutions that raise health, wellness, and environmental sustainability standards.
Our Promise
We promise to provide next-generation product representation characterized by expert knowledge, empathetic listening, and creative collaboration with our partners.
We Listen Carefully.
No one understands your goals better than you do. Careful listening allows us to provide you with the right tools so you can achieve them.
We Work Diligently.
When you need product information, pricing, or troubleshooting support, we standing by, ready to assist. We provide accurate and timely answers that move your project forward.
YOU Get Results.
We have provided our market with thousands of successfully installed products that promote hygiene, save water, and operational costs. We will do the same for you.
The Story of Diversified Spec. Sales, Inc.
Our journey as a manufacturers representative began in 1963. In those days, we were known as The Ed DeYoung Company and had one location in Detroit, MI. Jay R. Smith was almost exclusively represented these formative years, making them our oldest partner to date. In 1972, Ron Wallace purchased the company and began to add multiple manufacturers to its line card, including noteworthy partners Acorn Engineering and Sloan.
In 1997, Mike Burdette and Gerry Howley purchased the company and Diversified Spec. Sales, Inc. was born. Their partnership resulted in further expansion, including a West Michigan office and the addition of many new product lines. Gerry Howley retired in 2014, and Mike Burdette became the sole proprietor.
In 2018, Matt Johnson, Nick VanderPlas, and Brendan Burdette purchased the company, and to the present time, they continue to expand the company’s product offerings and capabilities.
In 2023, Diversified expanded further into Ohio, opening a third office located in the Greater Cleveland Metro and introducing several new product lines across the state.
We now consist of 5 divisions: Commercial Plumbing, Architectural & Interiors, Residential Plumbing, PVF, and Plumbing Commodities. Our footprint has grown to 28 employees covering five states (Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania).
As consumer demands, technology, and supply chains evolve across the plumbing industry, we rest on the foundation of solid relationships, excellent service, and exceptional products. These timeless values benefit our industry partners and confidently carry us forward into the future.
Need Help?
Well, you’re in luck — that’s what we do best! Please reach out to us with any inquiries you have, and we’ll promptly respond.