Hinkle Metals & Supply Co Inc

Hinkle Metals & Supply Co Inc has served Birmingham and the greater Alabama region since 1972, operating as a commercial and residential HVAC equipment distributor with a 4.2-star rating across 56 reviews. The company maintains a primary location at 3300 11th Ave N in Birmingham, with additional facilities in Childersburg, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Pelham, and Summerdale across Alabama, plus branches in Pensacola, Columbus, and Gulfport. Open Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM, the company sells parts, units, and supplies directly to homeowners and contractors alike. Their license number reflects decades of continuous operation in the state, making them one of the more established supply names in north central Alabama.

What distinguishes Hinkle Metals from typical supply houses is their inventory depth on specialized vent and piping systems. Reviewer Gordon Scott specifically praised their stock of DuraVent double wall pipes, noting that no other supplier in the surrounding area carries this product. This single-source access proves critical for homeowners tackling chimney liner replacements or custom ductwork projects where standard residential suppliers come up empty. The company also maintains a breadth of units, repair components, and air quality accessories that many smaller shops simply do not stock, positioning them as a go-to source for both do-it-yourselfers and professional HVAC technicians across service calls.

Customer experiences at Hinkle reveal a pattern where named employees define the service outcome. Reviewer Austin Maddox described how staff helped locate a specific part and remained courteous throughout the interaction, while Jeremy H and Anthony Outsey both singled out helpful employees as the reason for their five-star ratings. However, the negative reviews expose operational weaknesses: Roger Nelson waited for a delivery while warehouse staff remained on forklifts, and Jesus Ornelas was told a part would arrive in one week only to have the driver rerouted to another state. The Columbus, Georgia branch drew criticism specifically for a counter salesman named Stephen deemed unprofessional. These contrasting experiences suggest that service quality varies significantly by location and individual employee.