ORLANDO, FLA. —Orlando-based Hughes Supply Co. acquired Century Maintenance Supply, Inc., of Houston. The announcement was made in mid-November and is Hughes' largest such acquisition to date.

Established in 1988, Century Maintenance sells MRO products to property management companies across the United States. Hughes sells construction and industrial supplies to customers nationwide.

In a prepared statement, Tom Morgan, president-CEO of Hughes, described the purchase as "a strategic move. In combination with our existing MRO business, this acquisition will make Hughes a leader in the apartment MRO market and facilitate our entry into other MRO markets."

"It expands our national footprint significantly," said Arleen Llerandi, director of investor relations at Hughes. "Century operates in 35 states. When we combine their market share with ours, we're approaching a 20 percent market share in that particular apartment MRO segment."

Llerandi estimates that the apartment MRO market represents a $2.5 billion industry. The strategy to which Morgan alluded will see Hughes becoming more involved in the larger MRO segment that includes hospitality, lodging, health care and assisted living, Llerandi explained, citing the similarities in maintenance supplies used in apartments and the general lodging industries. That segment is estimated by Hughes to be a $10 billion industry, she said.

Llerandi would not speculate on the impact the merger would have on potential job cuts. However, Dennis Beardon, chairman of Century, and Joe Summer, CEO, will serve in a consultancy capacity for the next few months. Hughes hopes to keep the remainder of Century's management team intact, she said, calling them "a great management team."

"Our two companies share the common goal of providing exceptional service to the multi-family apartment industry. There also is a strong cultural fit that will allow us to integrate our businesses quickly and facilitate further growth in the fragmented MRO segment," Semmer said in a statement.

Hughes Supply, Inc. was founded in 1928 and is one of the nation's largest wholesale distributors of construction and industrial materials, with more than 460 locations in 34 states. Hughes employs approximately 7,400 people. As of April, 2003, Century employed more than 950 people. Its distribution network includes 39 branches located in 35 states.