To expand the market reach of its Lab Safety Supply catalog division, MRO giant Grainger on Feb. 14 agreed to buy business-to-business horticultural and grounds maintenance supplies cataloger Gempler’s for an undisclosed amount. Chicago-based Grainger expects the deal to close early in the second quarter and to be accretive within a year.
The $30 million Gempler’s will become part of the Lab Safety division. Grainger no doubt hopes that the acquisition will reverse Lab Safety’s revenue decline. The cataloger, which sells safety equipment to manufacturers, suffered a 13% decline in fourth-quarter sales.
“This acquisition helps us add contractors, agricultural sector professionals, and grounds maintenance and horticulture professionals,” says Grainger spokesperson Mike McGrew. “It allows us to offer same-value propositions—safety supplies to a broader base of customers.”