Stellar Industrial To Expand Further With Graffams Industrial Acquisition

As Stellar's fourth acquisition since the start of November 2014, the move strengthens its presence in the California market and boosts its employee total to approximately 180.

Stellar Industrial Supply continues on the acquisition trail, as the Tacoma, WA-based industrial distributor announced Monday its intent to acquire certain assets of San Luis Obispo, California-based Graffams Industrial Supplies. Terms were not disclosed for the deal scheduled to close during Stellar's fiscal fourth quarter.

"The combination of two excellent companies will provide great benefits to our customers, associates and suppliers," said John Wiborg, Stellar President and CEO.  "Together we will be able to provide a broader array of products and services to our customers. Graffams is an excellent company, with a reputation for providing their customers quality products with high service levels; they know how to drive value to improve their customers’ financial results."

Located roughly halfway between San Jose and Los Angeles along the coastline, the San Luis Obispo location gives Stellar a stronger foothold in the California market. It also has a location near the Los Angeles market in Upland.

Graffams is a distributor of metal working and MRO products to a broad range of industries throughout California, and a Sandvik Coromant distributor.

"Graffams affords Stellar an excellent platform on which to build a strong presence in the Northern California market through their experienced and dedicated team," Wiborg continued. "The combination of Stellar and Graffams will afford Stellar a wider presence in the Metalworking, MRO, and Safety businesses.”

The acquisition is the fourth for Stellar since the start November of 2014. The company acquired Billings, MT-based Advantage Machine & Tool in November, Tampa Bay, FL-based Impact Industrial Supplies in April, and announced the acquisition of Tucson, AZ-based Tucson Abrasives on July 24.

After the combination is completed, Stellar will have approximately 180 employees and a total of 14 branches. In addition to the headquarters facility in Tacoma, Stellar will have the following branches; Portland, OR, Albany, OR, Eugene, OR, Everett, WA, Ferndale, WA, Seattle, WA, Spokane, WA,  Pasco, WA, Upland, CA, Billings, MT, Tampa, FL,  Tucson AZ, and San Luis Obispo CA.

"We feel that this transaction is a great fit for our customers, suppliers, and employees," said Graffams President Bob Alvarez. "Our team is committed to ensuring that the transition from two great organizations to one is as smooth and seamless as possible. I am confident that this is a very positive next step for everyone that has come to trust Graffams over our company’s long history. We are looking forward to serving our customers, suppliers, and employees in the future with the same level of honesty, straight-forwardness and commitment they have come to know.  

Alvarez will join Stellar’s team as Regional Sales Manager – Northern California.

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