LOCKPORT, N.Y. — Dick Noel, president of Equity Industrial Associates and Dan Judge, president of NetPlus Alliance, announced in late February that Equity's industrial supply members were merged into NetPlus Alliance.

NetPlus Alliance, headquartered in Lockport, N.Y., was founded in September, 2002. Judge, former president of buying group I.D. ONE, launched NetPlus as a pure buying group for small to mid-sized distributors that sell to industry.

According to Judge, the addition of the 35 Equity Industrial Associates members brings the NetPlus Alliance distributor membership to 90 companies located throughout the United States. NetPlus pools the collective purchasing power of its distributors, providing them with better pricing and significant rebate programs. For manufacturers, NetPlus offers an opportunity to grow their market share among a fast-growing buying group of industrial supplies distributors.

The Equity Organization, Inc. was founded in 1989 by Noel to provide marketing services to electrical distributors who had a specific interest in the Industrial/MRO requirements for electrical products. With time and growth, the marketing effort was expanded to include electrical construction materials distributors as well, under the banner of Equity Electrical Associates, Inc. The electrical division has since grown to 267 full-functioning electrical distributors from coast to coast.

In 1996 Equity Industrial Associates was established to provide marketing, operational and purchasing functions for the independent industrial supply distributor.

According to Noel, "a recent opportunity developed whereby the objectives of the average EIA industrial distributor could possibly make a quantum leap by merging in with the rapidly growing NetPlus Alliance buying group, who had established a very professional vehicle, with basically the same distributor profile and objectives."

Noel added that the move allows Equity Electrical to devote more time and effort to its interests in the electrical industry.

NetPlus Alliance and Equity Electrical Associates, Inc. will continue to work together on common objectives, according to the companies.