ATLANTA— Cameron & Barkley, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Hagemeyer North America, acquired McJunkin Corp.'s interest in the companies' joint operation, McBar, which sold MRO products and services to customers in the Ohio River Valley and Gulf Coast regions.

McBar has sites in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Texas and West Virginia.

When the joint operation was formed, CamBar was an independent, employee-owned company. When Hagemeyer purchased CamBar and others it became a competitor to the joint venture, said Rory Isaac, senior vice president of McJunkin. Isaac said the sale was amicable and that McJunkin and Hagemeyer/CamBar will likely work together in the future as their respective integrated supply businesses grow.

"All agreements will be firm with our customers," Isaac said. "We also have integrated contracts that will be fulfilled. If the main supplier is McBar, that will remain; if it is McJunkin, we will service the account."

Prior to closing the deal in October, McJunkin president Bernie Wehrle agreed, saying that he expects McJunkin to work with Hagemeyer/CamBar on various integrated supply projects in the future.

Hagemeyer executives could not be reached for comment.

Hagemeyer NA is a subsidiary of Netherlands-based Hagemeyer NV and includes Cambar of Charleston, S.C.; Vallen Safety of Houston, Texas; and Tristate Electrical & Electronic Supply Co., Inc., of Hagerstown, Md.

In 2001, McJunkin purchased the assets of Automation & Controls Specialists, Inc., of Dublin, Calif., and Joliet Valves, Inc., of Minooka, Ill.