Pewaukee-based Gustave A. Larson Co. has acquired Indianapolis-based Superior Distribution Inc. The transaction was completed Feb. 1.
Gustave A. Larson is a wholesale distributor of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, parts and supplies. It has 430 employees at 53 branches, and sells products from more than 450 manufacturers in the Midwest, plains and mountain states.
Superior, established in 1992, distributed HVAC equipment, parts and supplies. The transaction included five branches and the majority of Superior’s sales and customer-facing team of 25. The branches have become part of Gustave A. Larson’s East Central Region, which now totals nine locations.
As a result of the transaction, Superior’s Evansville and Indianapolis locations were consolidated into Gustave’s existing branches in those areas. The former owner of Superior, Kevin Kelley, is now the general manager for Gustave’s East Central region.
In addition, Larson has arranged a distribution agreement with Rheem Air Conditioning. Larson will sell Rheem brand equipment and parts in Indiana western Kentucky, and Ruud brand equipment and parts in northern and central Ohio.
“Rheem is pleased to begin its new partnership with the Gustave A. Larson Co.,” said Mike Branson, vice president and general manager, Rheem Air Conditioning Division. “The Gustave A. Larson Co. has long been known for its dedication to serving contractors in the Midwest. They are a professional, full-service distributor, with a passion for helping their customers grow their businesses. I am extremely excited about what this combination of talent will mean for all HVAC contractors in the region. The timing could not be better as it coincides with the launch of our new Rheem and Ruud gas furnace, air conditioning and heat pump platforms that were designed by contractors for contractors. This relationship with Gustave A. Larson also provides the most capable channel to deliver new Rheem innovations, such as integrated air/water/refrigeration solutions, to customers.”
“We are all very excited at Gustave A. Larson Co. about what this business partnership means for the future of serving our customers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio,” said Scott Larson, president and chief operating officer of Gustave A. Larson Co. “Our company mission is to Win Together, contributing to our customers’ success, carrying the best products in the industry and providing valued business solutions. This new relationship with Rheem Air Conditioning’s industry leading position and products, along with the addition of Superior Distribution’s customer-focused personnel and branches, will allow our East Central region to fulfill our mission. The combination puts us in a real position of strength going forward. This means better products and service to our existing customers and also wider ranging product and solutions to our new Superior customers. I want to thank our existing customers for their continued business, and to our new customers: Welcome to the Larson family!”
