COLUMBUS, OHIO – Buckeye Industrial Supply Co. purchased Kashway Supply of Nicholasville, Ky., to expand market coverage and offer customers new technical products and enhanced application expertise.

Buckeye, a value-added distributor specializing in metal-working cutting tools, will merge its strengths with Kashway's general line MRO expertise to serve customers in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

"Buckeye Industrial Supply has been successful in growing its business in an extremely tight manufacturing economy," said Buckeye president Jack Meizlish. "Now, with the industry consolidating even further, this strategic acquisition gives us a great opportunity to continue that growth."

Buckeye sells cutting tools and related products to medium and large metalworking plants, offering technical application assistance and inventory management programs. Both companies focus on the automotive, aerospace, general machining, stamping and metal fabrication industries.

"This partnership will enable Kashway to further meet the needs of its major customers," said Ernie Johnson, former president and owner of Kashway. "Kashway's customers can immediately benefit from Buckeye's system capabilities, industry savvy and cutting tool product knowledge.

Johnson will remain with the company, focusing his efforts on increasing sales, introducing new products and expanding the Kashway customer base.

Kashway will serve as Buckeye's Lexington, Ky.-area branch and will be called Kashway Industrial Supply.