AD to Merge with Groundwater Distribution Buying Group Baron

On May 31, Affiliated Distributors (AD) announced that it will merge with The Baron Group, a buying group serving independent groundwater systems distributors. The merger is expected to close June 31, according to a news release. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Baron Group has supported independent distributors in the groundwater, well and pump industries for over 30 years. Baron Group distributors have nearly 100 combined locations across the U.S. and Canada, and will join AD’s Pipe, Valves & Fittings (PVF) Division upon closing. The PVF Division is part of AD’s PHCP Business Unit, which also includes AD’s Plumbing and HVAC divisions.

“Our new members will have access to a larger scale of buying power, program options and meeting opportunities with AD,” Jeffrey Beall, President of AD’s PHCP Business Unit, said in the release. “This merger marks an exciting moment of growth for the PVF Division. Many of our existing members already participate in the groundwater industry, and this merger will give them the opportunity to further grow their businesses and to continue supporting their customers with the support of AD.”

“We see great benefits for our distributors from this new relationship with AD,” Baron Group General Manager Matthew Beasley said in the release. “AD has an impressive track record of growth and innovation. Our interactions with their team in this process have been tremendous, and our members cannot wait to begin working with the AD community to achieve success together.”