Imperial Dade and BradyPLUS said Thursday they have completed their previously announced merger, combining two major distributors of janitorial and sanitation supplies, foodservice products and industrial packaging across the United States and Canada.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The combined company creates a larger North American distribution platform serving commercial and institutional customers with janitorial and sanitation (JanSan) supplies, foodservice products, and industrial packaging. Executives said the merger expands the companies’ geographic reach, product assortment and operational capabilities while maintaining a locally focused service model.
Jason Tillis, chief executive officer of Imperial Dade, has been appointed CEO of the combined company. Ken Sweder, chairman and chief executive officer of BradyPLUS, will remain on the board of directors and work with Tillis during the leadership transition.
“This is a transformational milestone for our customers, employees and partners,” Tillis said in a statement. “Imperial Dade and BradyPLUS share a strong customer-first culture, deep local relationships and a long-term view of value creation.”
Sweder said the merger brings together organizations with complementary capabilities and similar operating models. “I’m incredibly proud of what the BradyPLUS team has accomplished and excited about what lies ahead,” he said.
Expanded Scale in Facility Supply Distribution
The transaction increases scale in the market for janitorial, foodservice, and packaging distribution, sectors that supply restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, building maintenance providers and industrial customers.
Imperial Dade, founded in 1935 and headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, operates more than 125 facilities across North America and employs more than 7,500 workers. The company has expanded significantly through acquisitions since 2007 under chairman Robert Tillis and CEO Jason Tillis.
BradyPLUS, headquartered in Las Vegas, distributes janitorial and sanitation supplies, foodservice products, and packaging materials through a network of regional operations and employs about 6,000 associates.
Executives said the combined organization will continue operating through a decentralized model that emphasizes local customer relationships and regional fulfillment capabilities, while leveraging greater scale in procurement, logistics and technology.
Board Leadership and Investors
Alongside the merger close, the companies appointed Manny Perez de la Mesa as chairman of the board of the combined company. Perez de la Mesa previously served two decades as president and chief executive officer of Pool Corp.; a distributor of swimming pool supplies and equipment.
“The combination of Imperial Dade and BradyPLUS creates a differentiated platform with strong leadership, a clear strategy and a deep commitment to customers and employees,” Perez de la Mesa said.
The board will include representation from several investment firms backing the companies. Bain Capital Private Equity, Kelso & Co., Advent International, Warburg Pincus and Fomento Económico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. (FEMSA), along with the Tillis family and company management, will remain shareholders in the combined business.
Jefferies, Goldman Sachs, and Kirkland & Ellis advised Imperial Dade on the transaction, while Harris Williams and Debevoise & Plimpton advised BradyPLUS.
Implications for Wholesale Distributors
The merger reflects continued consolidation among distributors serving facility supplies, packaging, and food service markets.
Distributors in these sectors face growing pressure to expand product portfolios, improve purchasing leverage, and invest in technology platforms that support ecommerce ordering, inventory visibility, and faster delivery.
A larger combined platform could improve buying power with suppliers and allow broader investments in logistics networks and digital ordering systems. For regional distributors, the transaction highlights the ongoing shift toward scale and integrated supply chain capabilities as large distributors compete for national and multi-location customers.
The companies did not disclose the combined organization’s revenue or total number of distribution locations following the merger.
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