Since 1924, family owned and operated Brame Specialty, has provided quality products and services to a broad customer base throughout the Carolinas and Virginia. As we have grown, we have added new locations and divisions to better serve our valued customers.
Brame Specialty is a full line distributor of industrial papers, printing
papers, industrial packaging, sanitary maintenance products, floor machines,
laundry, chemicals, concrete accessories, food service, hotel and lodging
amenities, blueprint bags, retail packaging, school and office supplies.
Trading Area: North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia
Current Brame Executives:
- James B. Brame Jr., Chairman of the Board and CEO
- Randal A. Brame, President
- James R. Garrison, Executive Vice-President and Treasurer
- Mercer Stanfield, Vice-President of Sales and Secretary
Corporate Office
Brame Specialty Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 271
Durham, NC 27702
(800) 533-2041 - Toll Free
(919) 683-1331 - Phone
(919) 682-6034 – Fax
The Brame Story
Brame Specialty Company began as a one-employee, one-room operation in
January of 1924. Robert Lee Brame, the company founder, began this business
with a second-hand truck bought on credit and a total capital of one hundred
dollars, which represented his entire savings. Together with hard work,
dedicated employees and most of all loyal customers, the company has grown in many ways.
Mr R.L. started out selling sweeping compound, which he made himself. He selected
the name Brame Specialty Company because, first, it was his name; and second,
he wasn’t sure in which direction he would go or what products he would ultimately sell.
In 1925, an old five-room house was leased for $25 per month. Running water
and the addition of a telephone were great improvements enjoyed by the young company.
Deciding to begin dealing directly with manufacturers, Mr. R.L. traveled to
New York where he located a manufacturer of roll butcher’s paper. He arranged
credit terms and persuaded them to send a (train) carload of roll paper to Durham.
Enthusiasm over receipt of this first carload of merchandise, however, was short
lived. A week of heavy rains had undermined the structure and the floors in
three of the rooms collapsed, dumping roll paper to the ground and bulging the
building on two sides. A better building of brick was located next door and
after some negotiating, the paper and other inventory as shifted next door.
In 1930, Mr. R.L. bought a lot on Washington Street and built a warehouse. The
new office consisted of a bookkeeper, two salesmen, two warehouseman/drivers
and Mr. R.L. The organization continued to develop a promising business until
late in 1933 when calamity struck in the form of a fire, which destroyed the building.
After the fire, the company took up temporary spaces in different parts of Durham.
When J.B. Brame, son of the founder, returned from World War II he designed
a modern fireproof building that was built in 1955 on the Washington Street
lot. Almost simultaneously, the company was incorporated, which helped assure
the continuity of the business in the future. J.B. succeeded his father as president
in 1965. Mr. R.L., from the beginning of the company until his death in 1968,
sold and delivered merchandise himself.
Jim Brame, Jr. who succeeded his father as president in 1984, joined the firm
in 1959 and was followed by brothers Bob in 1964 and Randy in 1971. The three
sons, like their father and grandfather before them, aided by a team of dedicated
employees, have sustained the company’s health and rapid growth.
Along with the General Divisions growth in Durham, the company expanded throughout
North Carolina and Virginia with Rocky Mount opening in 1947, Wilmington in
1977, Charlotte in 1985 and Roanoke, Virginia is 1991.
In 1989 an outlet store called Not Just Paper was opened in downtown Durham
to provide service to walk-in customers, plus offer school and office supplies
displayed in a retail store setting.
A brand new 80,000 square foot facility in Durham was completed in 1991, which
now houses the General Division. The Washington Street location currently houses
the Corporate Offices as well as the School and Office Supply Division.
It is no secret that our continued growth is a result of loyal customers, the
reason we are in business. Dedicated employees, excellent suppliers and a management
team that puts customer service first are also part of the Brame success story.
