The American Supply Association (ASA) officially incorporated in December 1969 with the merger of two regional associations, the Central Supply Association (CSA) and the American Institute of Supply Associations (AI). Both the CSA and AI believed in the idea of one national trade association that could better serve the interests of the industry by providing networking opportunities and forums to discuss the critical issues facing the industry. These two regional associations ultimately decided to combine their values and merge to form one large not-for-profit national organization that would serve the wholesale distributors and their suppliers in the plumbing, heating, cooling and industrial piping industries under an incorporated 501©(6) entity. Thus the American Supply Association was formed.