Distributor Brown & Bigelow (PPAI 102272), headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, has acquired Washington, D.C.-based distributor Specialties, Inc. (PPAI 108701).

“It has been a wonderful run for me in this industry, but it was time for me to sell my business and to partner with a national distributor to support our next stage of growth,” says Joel Kaplan, who founded Specialties, Inc. in 1984. “We chose Brown & Bigelow because their unique business model allows us to maintain our identity and to support our sales executives and customers locally.”

In announcing the acquisition, Brown & Bigelow noted that adding Specialties, Inc. to the fold expands the company’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic market. Order processing and supplier relationships will continue in the Specialties, Inc. Washington, D.C. and Rockville, Maryland, offices.

William D. Smith, Jr., president and CEO of Brown & Bigelow, adds, “We are very excited to have an organization the caliber of Specialties, Inc. join the Brown & Bigelow family. We look forward to continuing their excellent reputation and service to their clients.”

Read more on this story in Thursday’s PPB Newslink.