Founder of Dalton Warehouse
February 16/23, 2015; Volume 28/Number 17
Marietta, Ga.—Daniel Charles Pilzer, founder of Dalton Warehouse, where retailers and distributors could buy closeouts, dropped styles and excess inventory of carpets and carpet tiles at a discounted price, died Dec. 24, 2014. He was 79.
Pilzer began working in floor covering in the 1960s as a salesman for a regional distributor in the Philadelphia area and continued his career in the industry for almost 50 years. After moving up the ranks to a sales management position, Pilzer took a job at Trend Industries as district sales manager, which eventually led to an executive role. In the early 1980s Pilzer led Galaxy Carpet Mills through a period of creativity and growth as vice president of sales.
He then left the corporate world to become an entrepreneur, which resulted in a series of successful companies including Rainbow Contract, one of the early purveyors of Main Street commercial, and Rainbow Hospitality, where he worked closely with his son Jordan. Pilzer also owned Rainbow Custom Logo Mats, which was built in partnership with Mountville Industries to bring small-quantity custom flexibility to the entry mat business for hospitality, wholesale and retail.
Pilzer finished his career as the founder of Dalton Warehouse. Over the years Pilzer delivered positive energy and looked for win-win situations for anyone with whom he did business, whether partners, employees, clients or friends. Known for having high morals and integrity, he strived to do business the right way. He had a propensity for looking on the bright side, with a unique ability to find a silver lining in the middle of the storm. Pilzer touched many lives and lived by his motto: “Make friends and the business will follow.”
Pilzer is survived by his wife, Pam; three children, Jordan, Rhonda and Whitney; daughter-in-law Renee, and two grandchildren.
Services for Pilzer were held here Jan. 3. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the American Heart Association.