Q&A: Crane Janitorial Supply Focuses on Service, Value and Customer Relationships

COMMUNITY NEWS

Sponsored Content: This article was paid for by Crane Janitorial Supply and does not necessarily reflect The Local Reporter’s views.

Crane Janitorial Supply opened its Raleigh location in April 2026, offering janitorial supplies, paper products, trash bags and other products to businesses and customers throughout the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. With more than two decades of experience in the cleaning services industry, the company’s owner, Ramar Williams, said Crane Supply was created to expand an existing supply business while providing customers with knowledgeable, personalized service.

Can you tell us about Crane Supply and how the company got started?

I’ve been in the cleaning service industry for 23 years, and I saw an opportunity in the market after one of the larger suppliers in the area closed. There are a few smaller suppliers, but I felt there was an opening we could capitalize on.

I had also been looking for an opportunity to move somewhat from the service side of the business into supplies. For about six years, I had been selling supplies on a small scale to many of our existing cleaning clients. Opening Crane allowed us to scale that operation into a much larger business.

What products and services does Crane Supply provide, and what types of customers do you primarily serve?

We provide janitorial supplies, paper products, trash bags and cleaning-related products. Many of the customers we target are business-to-business customers, including cleaning and janitorial companies.

We also provide delivery service. We generally focus on customers within about a 50-mile radius of our location, including the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill areas. We offer free delivery when orders meet our minimum requirement.

Customers can also come directly into our store and shop with us.

What sets Crane Supply apart from other companies in the industry?

I would say our experience and our personal approach. Our staff has about 40 years of combined experience, and we are very personable.

People can come in and talk to us. You may not necessarily get that same experience at a big-box store.

We are also very price-conscious about the products we offer. But beyond pricing, I think it’s important to have someone you can actually talk to who knows a particular product.

Whether it is a chemical or a piece of equipment, we take the time to show customers how to use the product and help guide them in the right direction.

With 23 years in the service side of the cleaning industry, I understand many of the issues cleaning and janitorial companies encounter. I understand the practical application of the chemicals and products we sell, as well as contracts and procurement.

I think that practical experience is one of the things that separates us from some of our competition.

What are some of the most common needs or challenges customers come to Crane Supply to help solve?

Pricing is probably one of the biggest challenges customers face right now.

With how technology has changed, people are purchasing products online, which I understand. But when you’re buying paper products and other supplies online, you also have to factor in shipping costs.

When customers come to us, we can provide quality products without them incurring those shipping costs.

We are constantly monitoring the market because prices have been steadily increasing across the supply chain. We monitor those changes and try to keep our pricing manageable for our customers.

Another challenge is that sometimes people know they need a product but may not know exactly what product is right for their job.

We take the time to understand what they are trying to accomplish, understand the scope of the project and recommend products that suit their needs.

How has Crane Supply grown or evolved since the company was founded?

We started in April, so we are still a relatively new business. A lot of our business has come from walk-in customers, but we are also working to diversify and build our corporate customer base.

We recently secured another corporate account after a customer initially tested our products with a small pilot order.

We’re really trying to build on those relationships and continue growing the corporate side of the business while serving our regular walk-in and business customers.

What role does your team play in providing customers with reliable service and expertise?

Our team brings extensive experience to the business. We have approximately 40 years of combined experience, and everyone brings different strengths.

Our staff has strong backgrounds in management, purchasing and other areas of the business.

With 23 years of experience on the service side, I understand the day-to-day realities of the cleaning industry. I understand the ins and outs of the business and some of the challenges contractors and cleaning companies face.

That allows us to talk with customers and offer practical recommendations based on our experience.

Are there any products, services or specialties that customers may not realize Crane Supply offers?

One thing customers may not realize is the level of service we provide beyond simply selling the products.

We deliver throughout our service area and can work with customers to develop supply plans based on their needs.

For example, if a company wants to budget its supplies several months in advance, we can work with them on a plan and, when possible, stand behind pricing for at least six months.

If something outside the norm happens that affects pricing, we communicate it to our customers. If suppliers increase prices due to external factors, we want our customers to understand what is happening rather than simply seeing a price change without an explanation.

Can you share a recent customer experience or success story that demonstrates the value Crane Supply provides?

One of our most recent successes was picking up a corporate account from another supplier.

We initially did a small pilot order for the customer. They had specific product requirements, including trash can liners, a toilet program, purple towels and urinal screens.

We delivered the products ahead of schedule, and the customer was very happy with the quality and the delivery timing.

But we also wanted to provide a different level of service.

The customer had four different buildings. Their previous supplier would drop the products off at the dock and leave.

We told the customer that we would deliver the products to the areas of the buildings where they were actually needed. As long as they had an area where we could stock the supplies, our staff would take the products there instead of making the customer move everything themselves.

That has made a difference. We have now made our third delivery to that customer, and I’m really looking forward to continuing to build that relationship.

What does being a locally operated business mean to Crane Supply, and how does the company contribute to the local community?

Being locally operated means helping keep dollars circulating throughout the local economy.

We hire local employees, and we work with several North Carolina-based companies, along with other U.S.-based suppliers.

Having a local business also lets us offer a local option for customers who want to come into a store, talk to someone directly and get the products they need without relying entirely on online ordering.

What would you like readers to know about Crane Supply, and why should they consider the company for their future supply needs?

The biggest message is that we actually care about our customers and want them to feel valued.

Customers can come into the store, pick up the phone or send us an email, and they will get a real person who will respond. They can walk in and speak to us if they have questions or concerns.

We are transparent, communicate clearly and provide clear information.

If someone wants a quote, we’ll provide an itemized proposal so they can see exactly what they’re paying for and what adjustments we can make to fit their budget.

For us, it’s about value and efficiency. Customers can buy their supplies in bulk, and we can deliver them.

Whether you’re a small business or a corporate customer, we want to tailor a supply plan to your needs.

Ultimately, the most important thing is making our customers feel valued and appreciated for their business.

Crane Janitorial Supply is located at 335 Sherwee Dr #109, Raleigh, NC 27603. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The facility remains closed on Saturday and Sunday.