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9 min ago 2 min read
US industrial gas platform Meritus Gas Partners (Meritus) has acquired Dallas-headquartered industrial gas and welding supply distributor Metroplex Welding Supply (Metroplex).
The deal expands Meritus’ regional footprint through the acquisition of Metroplex’s five Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area locations and adds another independent distributor to its growing network.
Metroplex was founded in 1975 by Mike Bush Sr. and is now led by Mike Bush Jr., Tom Bush, and General Manager Jack Robbins. The company will continue operating under its existing brand and leadership team with the support of the Meritus platform.
The acquisition reflects Meritus’ strategy of partnering with independent distributors while preserving their local identities, customer relationships, and operating cultures.
Steve Byers, Vice-President of Mergers and Acquisitions at Meritus, said, “This acquisition continues the strong momentum we’re seeing as we expand our national network of… independent distributors.”
The acquisition falls under Meritus’ wider strategy of forming a US network of independent distributors of industrial, medical, and specialty gases and welding and safety supplies.
In July, Meritus that its subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply acquired the assets of helium solutions company HICO Distributing of Colorado (HICO).
The HICO transaction marked another step in Meritus’ expansion across the specialty gas sector.
Meritus is a portfolio company of private equity team AEA Enterprise, managed by global investment firm AEA Investors.
