Our History

Sandpaper America was founded in 1987 by brothers Earl and Larry Powers. It was started with one main goal… to provide quality sanding products very quickly and at a fair price. Earl was the sandpaper expert, having worked for 15 years in the abrasive industry. He traveled 10 states per week selling for a major abrasives manufacturer. He sold to converters and to the end users all across this great country. Larry brought financial knowledge to the partnership, having served as an executive and treasurer of a local printing company. Sandpaper America, Inc. started in a small, 2 room office building. Together, Larry and Earl handled every phase of the business: from sales to service, to production and procurement. Within a few years their hard work paid off and now Sandpaper America is a prominent competitor in the sandpaper conversion industry. We still provide a quality sanding product at a fair price and we always strive to supply our valued customers in a very timely manner. In 2007 Earl retired. Larry Powers continued as the president, treasurer and sole owner of SAI right up to the date of the sale.

On April 24, 2012, Sandpaper America embarked on a new and exciting course when Mark and Janet Pflum, through MJP & Company LLC, purchased the business. Mark serves as president and oversees all aspects of the operations. He has a broad and varied business background including stints as an executive of a major international think tank and as president of a major hospital foundation. With his practical experience in sales, marketing and operations, and with an MBA from the University of Indianapolis, Mark brings with him a new focus and dedication to excellence in product development, service and operations. The Pflums are grateful to Larry and Earl Powers for all of their hard work through the years to make Sandpaper America the success it is today. It is now their mission to pick up where the Powers brothers left off and see MJP & Company, LLC, dba Sandpaper America continue to grow and be a leader in the abrasive conversion industry.