GMS Inc.--aka Gypsum Management and Supply, a wallboard and suspended ceilings systems distributor that went public last May--announced today it has acquired the Hawaiian distribution assets of Utah-based Grabber Construction Products.
"Grabber's extensive presence in the Hawaiian market will materially expand GMS's footprint in the state," Tucker, Ga.-based GMS said in a statement. The Grabber distribution assets will be folded into GMS's existing Hawaiian operations, which run under the J&B Materials brand. GMS operates close to 200 branches across the country, all of them flying the flags of roughly 50 local names rather than the GMS banner.
Since its acquisition by AEA in April 2014, the company has gone on a buying and expansion spree in an intent to provide total coast-to-coast service. In December, it reported that for the fiscal second quarter ended Oct. 31, its net sales increased 29.2% to $591.8 million, of which roughly two-thirds of the growth came from acquisitions. It hasn't been in the ProSales 100 to date, but now that it is publicly traded and reports its numbers, the company is likely to make the list's top 10 this year.
GMS primarily sells wallboard, suspended ceiling systems, and complementary products to interior contractors who work in commercial and residential buildings. Grabber distributes fasteners and framing systems as well as a proprietary brand of tools.
