by Matthew Spieler
Hicksville, N.Y.—Belknap White Group (BWG), already one of the industry’s largest distributors has bolstered its portfolio by purchasing Patriot Flooring Supply from Armstrong World Industries on Sept. 1. Financial details were not disclosed, but FCNews learned the sale was mostly assets though it did include compensation for the business itself.
BWG was already a Top 5 industry wholesaler with annual revenues for its 2011 fiscal year estimated at $128 million. Patriot is estimated to be the No. 2 hardwood distributor in the industry with 2011 annual sales estimated around $70 million. Combined, BWG will vault itself into the Top 3 of industry wholesalers and could possibly take over the No. 2 spot depending on what happens the rest of the year.
Executives from BWG did not respond to inquiries about the acquisition.
Frank Ready, CEO of Armstrong Flooring Products, called the sale “a strategic decision that makes sense for all three parties—Armstrong, Patriot and The Belknap White Group.”
He noted, Patriot distributes hardwood and laminate flooring, while Armstrong is “in the business of making and marketing floors” and it is the company’s strategy to focus on its core businesses, namely flooring and ceilings.
“With Patriot,” Ready explained, “Belknap can strengthen the operations of both businesses for the benefit of the customers they serve in the Northeast. And we will continue to drive our business in North America and around the world for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. It’s a win-win.”
Patriot employs 65 people and serves the New England, metropolitan New York and Northern New Jersey markets with locations in Wilmington, Mass., and Pompton Plains, N.J. While its main supplier is Armstrong for wood—Armstrong, Bruce and HomerWood—and laminate—Armstrong and Bruce—products, the company does carry a variety of wood flooring from other manufacturers, such as Johnson, Lauzon and Wood Flooring International to name a few. It also supplies a range of sundry items, including adhesives, staples, sanders, floor care kits and so on.
BWG is headquarted in Mansfield, Mass., and has been serving the New England and upstate New York region for 35 years with additional locations in Massachusetts as well as in upstate New York and Connecticut and operates under four main divisions—Belknap White Alcco, United Hardwood Distributors, United Distributors Tile Group, and Carpet Products.
The company is already a major supplier of Armstrong products, including wood, laminate and resilient, and also carries a large array of products and sundries from other manufacturers.
For more on BWG, call 800.283.7500. For more on Armstrong, call 877.276.787