Nathan Cobb

Alex Lee, Inc.

Who Is Alex Lee "If your customers are successful and your suppliers are successful, then you will be successful."​ This was the philosophy of our founder, Moses George, and later his two sons, Alex and Lee, when they purchased Merchants Produce Company in 1931. This philosophy has stood the test of time for four generations, as the company has continued to grow and evolve into one of the largest food retail and wholesale distribution companies in the South-Eastern United States. All without losing its homegrown roots or its focus on customers, employees and our community. 85 years later, Alex Lee, Inc. works as a unifying force, guiding and supporting its two operating companies - Merchants Distributors, LLC (MDI), a wholesale grocery distributor operating in 12 different states with more than 1500 employees; and Lowes Foods, LLC, a grocery retailer with over 100 stores and 10,000 hosts. Why do our customers believe in us? Because we never take them for granted. We work harder and smarter in order to always matter, to stay relevant, and to make a real difference. A testament to our superior service is how we've helped thousands of independent supermarkets stand up and win against national chains and discount retailers. Making a real difference is something that matters to our people. It's what keeps them here for the long term and gives them reason and purpose that extends beyond the norm. Our employees would also say that being part of a privately-held, family-owned business stands in stark contrast to many other companies. We have the freedom to think bigger and reach higher, without the bureaucracy of red tape getting in the way. We also benefit from the inheritance of a value system that has guided our founders, and the generations following them, on their journey forward. What's more, our culture is one that upholds continuity vs short-term results, and balanced with a passion for embracing the new, innovative and yet-to-be-thought-of.