Location/Region: Phoenix, AZ
Industry: Construction
Apps implemented: Accounting, Sales, Website, Email Marketing
Software
Replaced: Excel Spreadsheet
Size of the company: 5
Hosting type: Odoo Online
When John Philippi founded Probuilders Warehouse, his vision was clear: create an easy, efficient way to get building supplies from the U.S. to Roatan, Honduras, where access to quality construction products is limited. Thanks to Odoo, that vision became a reality with a streamlined process, integrated systems, and a scalable operation that’s now set to grow across Latin America and the U.S.
Probuilders Warehouse was born out of necessity and opportunity. While building homes in Roatan, John and his partner were purchasing up to $2 million in materials annually from Home Depot, which granted them deep discounts. Recognizing a demand from local builders and contractors in Roatan who couldn’t access such pricing or products, they launched Probuilders Warehouse to share those benefits. With a website and logistics set up from Phoenix, Arizona, the company began serving construction professionals across Roatan with U.S.-sourced supplies.
John’s personal and professional ties to Roatan run deep. His partner alone has built around 400–500 homes on the island. Their extensive network of builders, contractors, and even local government officials gave them a competitive edge. Though John had already owned several manufacturing companies before, he saw this project not just as a business, but as an exciting challenge, one he embraced even in what was meant to be his retirement.
"We decided to share our discounts with other builders in Roatan. That’s how Pro-Builder Warehouse started."
Juggling Orders and Chaos
Like many small businesses entering a fast-growing niche, Probuilders Warehouse faced operational growing pains. One of the biggest hurdles was managing the end-to-end process, from customer orders to sourcing from Home Depot, managing tariffs and taxes, coordinating international shipping, and tracking everything in real time.
Prior to adopting Odoo, John considered several software options but was particularly drawn to Odoo because of one key feature: the built-in financial package. Other solutions didn’t offer the kind of integration he needed. What also stood out was Odoo’s ability to handle large datasets.
"The biggest reason I went with Odoo was the built-in financial package, and how it could manage a database of 2 million products without bogging it down."
Odoo Changed the Game (and the Workflow)
John discovered Odoo during a period of research, and once he tested its capabilities, the decision was clear. From the beginning, he wanted Odoo fully implemented before even starting customer operations. That strategy paid off, especially with the help of his Odoo consultant, Chris, with whom he met weekly to address questions and fine-tune the system.
The company now uses several Odoo apps daily, including Accounting, Sales, Website, and Email Marketing. But the real transformation came in the form of workflow automation. With Odoo:
- Customers now receive quotes faster and can approve and pay online using credit cards.
- Order processing is automated, cutting down time and human error.
- Odoo’s Sales app allows John to manage all client interactions and statuses in one place.
- The Accounting module simplifies financial tracking, taxes, and tariffs.
- The Website builder and Email Marketing apps help grow the customer base and brand awareness, especially as the company expands into digital ads.
- Tasks that once might have required multiple team members are now handled by just one person, thanks to the integration and design of Odoo’s apps.
"The workflow (from entering an order to sending a quote, getting approval, and processing online payments) is great. Odoo made the whole process easy.”
Scaling up with Odoo
With a solid foothold in Roatan, John is now setting his sights on growth. Plans are underway to expand Probuilders Warehouse’s services into other countries in South America, as well as within the U.S. The bilingual nature of their business (English and Spanish) is a key asset as they reach broader markets.
Social marketing is also in focus. The company is currently working on expanding its Facebook and Instagram presence to attract new customers to the website, which remains central to its sales and outreach strategy.
As John puts it, having Odoo from the start was essential, and for other businesses in logistics, retail, or construction, his advice is simple: make the leap early. Whether you’re looking to streamline workflows, or scale operations across borders, Odoo offers the tools to build your business, block by block.
