Hughes, Inc.

Hughes, Inc. was officially formed on January 28, 1946, by Russel S. Hughes, Harry C. Hughes, and Romania S. Hughes. But its roots trace back even further—to a legacy of electrical craftsmanship and entrepreneurial vision that began with Clarence L. Hughes and his son, Russel, in 1922.

The father-son duo launched Hughes & Son Electrical Contractors, laying the foundation for what would become a family-run enterprise with a statewide and eventually national footprint. In 1928, the business pivoted from contracting to wholesaling electrical materials, forming Hughes Electrical Supply Company. A year later, Clarence’s other son, Harry, joined the firm, and the family business continued to evolve.

Following Clarence’s passing in 1939, Russel and Harry expanded operations. New product lines—including plumbing, air conditioning, and industrial materials—fueled growth, leading to the 1947 incorporation of Hughes Supply, Inc. The company quickly became a trusted resource for municipalities, utilities, contractors, and manufacturers across Florida.

By the 1950s and '60s, Hughes Supply had opened branches in cities across the state—from Gainesville to Sarasota. Expansion continued, and in 1970 the company went public. A third generation of Hughes family members, including David H. Hughes, joined the team, learning the business from the ground up. Under their leadership, Hughes Supply grew into a Fortune 500 company, with 500+ locations in 40 states and nearly 10,000 employees.

In 2006, Hughes Supply was acquired by Home Depot for $3.5 billion, marking a new chapter in its remarkable history.

While many branches were independently owned, core properties in Bradenton, Fort Pierce, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, and Fort Myers were retained by an affiliated company—Hughes, Inc. While most of the original Hughes properties have been sold off over the years, a select few remain under Hughes, Inc. ownership. These historic sites—such as the Grant Street warehouse in Orlando—serve as living reminders of a legacy nearly a century in the making and act as a catalyst for future Hughes, Inc. growth.

Now led by the fourth generation of Hughes family members, Hughes, Inc. continues to honor the values, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that began in 1922.