Lab Safety Supply to Buy AW Direct
W.W. Grainger Inc., Chicago, a supplier of facilities maintenance products, said yesterday that its Lab Safety Supply subsidiary signed a definitive agreement to buy AW Direct Inc., a direct marketer of products to the $3 billion service vehicle accessories market.AW Direct, Berlin, CT, sells general towing and work truck equipment and accessories to customers in the auto service, utilities, government and construction markets. It sells online as well as through catalogs and a toll-free number.
Grainger expects the deal to close, subject to conditions, in the first quarter. No other terms were disclosed.
AW Direct will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Lab Safety Supply, which targets the safety, industrial, environmental and homeland security markets. AW Direct last year produced sales of $28 million.
"AW Direct offers access to new markets that we can serve with many of Lab Safety's existing products and targeted media," said Richard L. Keyser, Grainger chairman/CEO.
Lab Safety expects to retain many of AW Direct's management, customer service and other employees located at its facility in Berlin.
Melissa Campanelli covers postal news, CRM and database marketing for DM News and DMNews.com. To keep up with the latest developments in these areas, subscribe to our daily and weekly e-mail newsletters by visiting www.dmnews.com/newsletters
