George Mitchell and his son N. A. Mitchell founded Three States Supply Company, LLC in 1945 in Memphis. The name is based on Memphis' geographical position as the hub of three states -- Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Three States Supply, a subsidiary of Watsco since 1996, distributes heating and air-conditioning equipment (HVAC), sheet metal products, supplies, and related parts to contractors in 10 nearby states. Three States Supply Company offers products from such manufacturers as Nordyne (HVAC equipment), CertainTeed (insulation/adhesives), Magnetek (motors) and Cooper (tools); it also sells used machinery. Three States Supply operates from over 20 locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.