WESCO has made some major acquisitions of industrial, MRO and safety distributors over the past few years, and it continued to build its business north of the border with the acquisition of Hazmasters Inc., a Toronto-based safety products distributor.
Over the past three years, WESCO’s Canadian acquisitions have included LaPrairie, Inc., Newmarket, Ontario, a utility specialist (2013); EECOL Electric in Calgary Alberta, (2012); and Trydor Industries, Surrey, British Columbia, a utility specialist (2012); and Brews Supply, Ltd., Calgary (2011). The company acquired another utility specialist in the United States with its 2012 purchase of Conney Safety Products, Madison, Wis.
According to a press release announcing the acquisition, Hazmasters generates approximately $80 million in annual revenue from 14 branches across Canada and will expand WESCO's presence in Canada and strengthens the company's portfolio of MRO products and services. John Engel, WESCO's chairman, president, and CEO said, "Hazmasters has an excellent reputation for providing a comprehensive offering of safety products and superior customer service to a wide range of customers across Canada.”
See Electrical Marketing's March 14 issue for expanded coverage of this acquisition.