Big Bob’s parent continues expansion with Floor to Ceiling purchase
April 11/18, 2016; Volume 30, Number 21
By Ken Ryan
Auburn, Mass.—Floors & More, which operates Big Bob’s Flooring Outlets as well as Floors & Kitchens Today, has acquired the Floor to Ceiling group. This consolidation will add 60 stores to the expanding entity.
Vinnie Virga and Scott Appel, co-CEOs of Floors & More, formally announced the acquisition earlier this month.
“We didn’t have this specific deal in our eyes but we had a desire to have an acquisition this year to get to critical mass,” Virga told FCNews. “It is a very good fit. Our Floors & Kitchen model is almost the same as the Floor to Ceiling model.”
Virga added there “are so many quality flooring dealers in this group and so much untapped potential in the Floor to Ceiling brand. With members’ help and guidance, we are going to make some amazing things happen.”
Appel said the synergy between this group and Big Bob’s “provides us with a wonderful springboard for awesome growth. We know that with this group collectively working together, along with our management team’s commitment to excellence, we will create a tremendous amount of momentum toward continued success.”
The Floor to Ceiling acquisition is the latest in a series of strategic moves taken by Big Bob’s since Virga purchased a controlling interest in Big Bob’s Flooring, effective Jan. 1, 2016.
On March 1, Appel, Bill Hamad and Joe Hamad—current owners of Touch of Color Flooring in Harrisburg, Pa.—announced their involvement in a group that bought controlling interest of Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet stores. The buying group is now Floors & More, under which Big Bob’s, Floors & Kitchens Today and Floor to Ceiling operates.
During a January 2016 interview with FCNews, Virga said within five years Big Bob’s would be “at least” the third-largest buying group for flooring and kitchen design. “By hook or by crook we are going to get there,” he said.
As for the rest of 2016, Virga said the group is “definitely looking” for more acquisitions. “We believe there are another four groups that would make for a great fit in our organization. We’re looking to scale our group so we can bring value to our members.”
He added being able to help members become more profitable or to improve their quality of life “is what motivates our team each and every day.”