Nu-Idea

Company History

It all started with a wooden desk about 90 Years ago.

Nu-Idea School Supply Co. has been around since 1921, and is still going strong. In the 1930's, the company that Roy Tucker founded made a transition from manufacturing school desks to being a wholesale distributor of school furniture.

When Tucker died in the mid-1970's, he left the company to his four daughters. Fast forward to 1988, and the retirement of Bob Nettles, who ran the business for almost 40 years.

The privately held family company was up for sale. In 1988, it was taken from four families to two families through stock purchases; keeping the company in the family was crucial. In 2005, two key employees were brought in as shareholders to continue the tradition of this great company for yet another generation.

One of the biggest challenges for a mature business is being able to change as the playing field changes.

And the playing field is constantly changing — it's more competitive. We represent approximately 300 manufacturing companies around the world. It used to be strictly American companies, but that has changed in the last 10 years.

While change is inevitable, one thing that remains constant is loyalty to the company's customers.

Nu-Idea has good relationships with every school district in every county in the state and we intend to keep it that way. Beaufort County wants it one way, Richland County wants it another way, and we've got to be able to adapt to that.

We are very service-oriented. We have built our credibility on taking care of our customers. We have to take very good care of them and we go out of our way to do that.

As long as we provide good service for our customers, we'll always have a place in this game. Paying attention to the customer, that's what will keep us around. Nu-Idea's reputation stands on its own.