John Wolz

Just weeks after acquiring Fastec Industrial Corp., Wesco International Inc. agreed to purchase Carlton-Bates Co.
“Wesco is on a bit of an acquisition binge,” said one observer. “They are both very significant acquisitions. Besides the large size, both of steps in a different direction for Wesco.””
Little Rock, AR-based Carlton-Bates was founded in 1957 and has annualized 2005 sales of approximately $300 million. The company is a large regional industrial distributor of electrical and electronic components with a special emphasis on electromechanical applications and electronic controls applications.

Wesco CEO Roy Haley said the acquisition “provides a unique opportunity to more deeply penetrate the OEM market segment with specialty products, applications and value-added services. The planned acquisition of Carlton-Bates, along with the recently closed acquisition of Fastec, provides Wesco the opportunity to strategically supplement our proven organic growth model.”
Carlton-Bates CEO William Carlton described the acquisition as providing “a significant strategic platform to expand our base of operations” to Wesco customers.”

Fastec, with annual sales of approximately $55 million, is a nationwide importer and distributor of industrial fasteners, cabinet hardware and locking and latching products.
Wesco is a publicly-traded Fortune 500 holding company headquartered in Pittsburgh. Its primary operating entity, Wesco Distribution Inc., distributes electrical construction products and electrical and MRO supplies. Wesco had sales of $3.7 billion last year, employs approximately 5,350 people, maintains relationships with 24,000 suppliers and serves more than 100,000 customers worldwide. Wesco operates five distribution centers and approximately 350 branches in North America and selected international markets. Web: wescodist.com �2005 FastenerNews.com