Bridging the Gap Between Customer and Manufacturer
Founded in 1987, SMP Supply has grown into a trusted distributor of pipe, valves, fittings,
and flanges for some of the most demanding industries in the country. Headquartered in
Baytown, with operations across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, SMP Supply’s success
is grounded in decades of relationships, reliability, and a deep understanding of what their
customers need to keep critical operations moving.
Built to Deliver
For nearly four decades, SMP Supply has earned a reputation for performance, precision,
and enduring client trust. The company has sustained consistent year-over-year growth,
evolving alongside the industries it serves while staying true to its core values of service,
accountability, and responsiveness.
“We’re not just here to fill orders,” says CEO James “Jimmy” Palma. “We’re here to solve
problems, to step up when others can’t, and to build lasting relationships that carry us into
the next generation.” That mindset continues to shape a culture that is performance-
driven but deeply people-centered — a reflection of the vision laid out from day one.
Shaped by Experience
Jimmy knows this business from the ground up. He started in sales under the guidance of his father, learning firsthand how to move deals forward and meet the high expectations of SMP Supply’s industrial clients. “I wore about 50 different hats for many, many years,” Jimmy says. “I’ve swept the shop floors, made the deliveries, handled the sales, and built out the internal systems."
Over time, Jimmy took on more responsibility and eventually stepped into the CEO role. Today, he leads the company with a clear focus on people, performance, and strategic growth. “My job now is to guide, not control,” he says. “We’ve built a strong team, and I’m here to make sure they have what they need to lead with confidence.”
Leading by Example
Jimmy’s leadership style is rooted in trust and mentorship. “Everything we do is on a deadline, and we have to treat every single order as if it is mission critical.” He goes on to add, “that’s why I like to lead by example and empower people to make decisions.”
That approach has allowed SMP Supply’s executive team to take ownership of daily operations and expand the company’s footprint efficiently. It also creates space for long-term planning and innovation, two things Jimmy believes are essential to navigating today’s competitive landscape.
Committed to Community
SMP Supply’s commitment to people doesn’t stop at the warehouse door — it shows up through active support of youth development programs like 4-H, local sports teams, and workforce education initiatives. They recently launched a summer internship program in partnership with the University of Houston’s Bauer School of Business, giving students real-world exposure to industrial supply and logistics.
Nationally, SMP Supply backs causes that are close to the team’s heart, including Sky High for Kids and Folds of Honor. “Supporting the next generation — whether it’s students, veterans’ families, or kids fighting cancer — is part of who we are,” Jimmy says. “It’s not just good business. It’s the right thing to do.”
Stellar Support
As SMP Supply began exploring new opportunities and weighing expansion, they knew they needed a financial institution that could support the complexity and pace of that growth. “We never really had the capital to do the things we needed to do until we started working with Stellar Bank,” Jimmy says. “They understood what we were trying to do — and more importantly, they were open to helping us get there.”
What stood out most to Jimmy was the impact of working with a bank rooted in community. “It wasn’t just about the numbers,” he says. “They really made the effort to understand our business — what we do, how we do it, and where we want to go. That made a huge difference.”
A Banking Relationship That Grows with You
Bethany Warner, Executive Vice President at Stellar Bank, remembers those early conversations clearly “We had visibility into the financials and could see how much momentum was building,” she says. “The SMP Supply team knew exactly what they needed operationally, and we were in a position to support that. It was about showing up, being responsive, and staying aligned through each stage of their growth.”
With that support in place, SMP Supply was able to scale faster and more confidently. The company expanded hiring, invested in its physical infrastructure, and moved into new customer segments. “That level of growth — 400% over four years — doesn’t happen without a lot of trust, planning, and adaptability on both sides,” Bethany adds.
For Jimmy, having a responsive and collaborative banking team made a real difference. “When you’re trying to grow quickly and still deliver the same quality, you need people who can keep up with that pace. Stellar did that for us.”
Looking Ahead
Today, SMP Supply continues to build on that momentum. The team is exploring new ways to expand — through new services, additional locations, and deeper relationships with existing clients. Every move is considered, and every investment is tied to delivering more value where it matters most.
SMP Supply is growing with purpose. By investing in people, giving back to their community, and staying focused on long-term value, they’ve built something that reflects both where they came from and where they’re going.
“We don’t want to be everything to everyone,” Jimmy says. “But if a customer trusts us to get something done, we want to be able to say yes more often — whether that’s with more product, more support, or more locations.”
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At Stellar Bank, our customers’ success is our success. Learn more about our Business Banking services by connecting with a Stellar banker today.
