Like Family
We’re a family business three generations in the making; a business that tends to treat its staff and clients like family, many who have been with us for over 10 years, and some, over 20 years.
When it comes to how you buy facilities supplies, and where, you have a lot of options. Milhench strives to earn your trust by providing the highest level of expertise and dependability at a fair price. And by making the whole process as effortless as possible. Dare we say, even enjoyable?
The Milhench Supply Company shareholders also make up the Milhench Board. Shown above from Left to Right: Loren Milhench leGassick (Sales and Chairperson of the Board), Heike Milhench, Elke Milhench Pierre and Mark Milhench (Sales)
Mike Costello
President
The People Behind the Products
Meet Jeremy, Sales
Jeremy Pontes started working at Milhench Supply Company in 1995, after he graduated from New Bedford High School, Class of 1994. The son of Bob Pontes, who has been working at the company since 1984, Jeremy started working in the warehouse and making deliveries. A sharp young man who gets along with everyone, Jeremy was promoted to Inside Sales/Customer Service in 2000 and again to Outside Sales in 2005. Jeremy has always had great “street smarts”, he knows how to treat customers right and to strike a fair deal. The quintessential “team player”, he has a fantastic positive attitude, and is always willing to chip in when needed, whether to count inventory at a consignment account, perform product demonstrations, pick orders in the warehouse, or flip burgers at a company event. In his free time, Jeremy loves to travel, eat sushi, and work with his hands in his woodshop at home. The favorite part of his job? Helping people. He loves getting to know his customers, trouble shooting to help them solve problems, and prove himself to be “on their team”. He and his wife, Kim, have been married for 27 years and have a daughter, Marissa, a son, Trevor, and a Bernedoodle name Rocco. Thank you for all of your hard work, Jeremy!
Milhench Traditions
Hanna’s Home-Baked Goodness
During the holiday season Milhench has a special delivery for customers, vendors, friends and neighbors—Hanna’s coveted homemade Rum Cakes (Rum Kuchen). Originally, this centuries old, secret family recipe was baked by Hanna and hand-delivered by founder Arthur Milhench to his valued customers. Today, Hanna and her helpers bake and distribute Rum Cakes for our key clients and vendors for the holidays. Yet another reason why some customers have been with us for over 20 years.
Oktoberfest, Milhench Style
What’s fall without Oktoberfest? In 2007, 2012, and 2017 Milhench celebrated its 75th, 80th and 85th anniversaries, respectively, with customers, employees, vendors and neighbors in grand Oktoberfest style with live music and traditional German food. In 2022, we marked 90 years in business and held our fourth and best attended Oktoberfest under multiple tents, complete with a vendor trade show featuring 35 suppliers. We hope to see you at our 95th anniversary celebration for Oktoberfest 2027! The bratwurst, potato pancakes and strudel are on us.
About Us
The year was 1932, when Joseph Milhench and his two partners founded Russell, Milhench & Harrison Co., a distributor of production supplies to the textile industry in New Bedford, MA. Joseph’s son, Arthur, joined in the 1950s and the company became Milhench, Inc., serving the fish processing and construction industries. In the mid 1980s, the manufacturing side of the business was sold and Milhench Supply Company was established at its present location in the New Bedford Business Park.
A decade later, Arthur’s children Heike, Loren and Mark joined the company. Heike worked as president from 2001 – 2022. Loren and Mark still work as full time sales people. Today the company is owned by the Milhench family who are active on the company’s board. And in the Fall of 2022, Mike Costello was appointed as President and runs the day to day business. Milhench Supply Company has become a leading provider of facilities supplies that helps businesses throughout New England run cleanly and efficiently. While the company has changed since 1932, what remains the same is its focus on dependable, personal service.
Top photo: Joseph Milhench and son Arthur Milhench receive an industry award ca. 1954. Center photo: The Milhench team celebrates Oktoberfest 2017 in New Bedford. Bottom photos (clockwise): Joseph Milhench, early 1950s, Arthur Milhench with a character from the New Bedford waterfront who was known as “Fish Mary”, Milhench Supply Company Salesman of the Year, 1954, Arthur Milhench selling the “Spin Zit” salt spreader ca. 1952.
Our Mission
To provide outstanding service and operate with great integrity, adding the special touch of a family – owned business – one customer, and one delivery, at a time.
LOCATIONS
MARKETS SERVED
Main Office and Warehouse
121 Duchaine Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02745
(P) 508.995.8331
(F) 508.995.4187
Milhench Metro
241B Mystic Ave
Medford, MA 02155
(P) 617.884.0454
(F) 617.884.0306
Agriculture
Building Managers
Building Service Contractors
Entertainment
Food Processing
Government
Healthcare
Hospitality and Lodging
Manufacturing
Public and Private Education
WE ARE PROUD TO BE AFFILIATED WITH THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS
