Grainger acquires Imperial Supplies
Industrial distributor expands into fleet maintenance
Susan Avery -- Purchasing, 10/15/2009 12:50:43 PM
Industrial distributor Grainger has acquired Imperial Supplies from American Capital.
Imperial is a national distributor of maintenance products and aftermarket components for the vehicle and fleet industry, with sales of $67 million in 2008. The company has served the fleet market since 1958.
Thirty-five percent of the MRO buyers responding to a Purchasing reader survey earlier this year say they are buying more through industrial distributors than five years ago. Buyers, results show, have consolidated the supplier base from 15 to 12 suppliers. As a result of the MRO supplier consolidation, 81% of respondents say distributors are offering more products and 71% say they are providing additional services.
The business will continue to operate as Imperial Supplies under Grainger's Specialty Brands business and will be led by Rob Gilson, Imperial's CEO. Gilson will report to Ralph Howard, vice president, Specialty Brands.
"In addition to the financial benefits for our shareholders, we anticipate cross selling opportunities by offering Imperial customers access to Grainger's broad product offering and national distribution scale and Grainger customers access to the 20,000 fleet maintenance products Imperial carries," said Mike Pulick, president of Grainger's U.S. businesses.
With $6.9 billion in sales, Grainger is number four on Industrial Distribution magazine's Big 50 for 2009.
See also: MRO purchasing professionals: Price not as important as service
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