Carlson Systems acquires Western Tool Supply
Industrial Opportunity Partners, a private equity firm based in Evanston, Ill., announced the acquisition of Western Tool Supply by its platform company Carlson Systems.
Headquartered in Salem, Ore., Western Tool is a distributor of tools and supplies serving the fastening needs of construction, industrial, and woodworking customers, with products such as hand-held nailers, staplers, and related fasteners. Western Tool operates 14 sales sites in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah and Montana.
“We are excited to support our platform investment in Carlson with the highly strategic acquisition of Western Tool," said Ken Tallering, senior managing Director of IOP. "Carlson is positioned for growth both internally and through strategic acquisitions such as Western Tool. Western Tool represents Carlson’s first acquisition since IOP invested in Carlson in 2009.”
Carlson, headquartered in Omaha, Neb., is a multi-regional distributor of product assembly systems serving the fastening and packaging needs of construction, industrial, and OEM customers, with products such as hand-held nailers, staplers, tapers, marking and labeling products, stretch/shrink wrappers, and strappers. Carlson sells over 15,000 SKUs sourced from over 900 vendors from 52 sales sites spread across 22 states (primarily in the Midwest, Central, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions) and parts of Mexico.
Jim Todd, chairman of Carlson and an operating principal of IOP, added, “The acquisition of Western Tool expands Carlson’s geographical coverage to the Pacific Northwest. The combined company will benefit through its broadened customer relationships and product offerings. The Carlson platform is very well positioned and has significant momentum as its end markets continue to rebound.”
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