Bostwick-Braun focuses on the industrial market

The Bostwick-Braun Company shed additional light on the recent sale of its hardware business to House-Hasson and said the move was based on its decision to make the industrial services and products arm the company its exclusive focus.

On March 19, hardware distributor House-Hasson reported it was purchasing Bostwick-Braun’s hardware division, including inventory and warehouses.

Now Bostwick-Braun is placing “100% of its focus on its industrial distribution markets,” the company said

"Selling our hardware division enables us to focus all our energies on Bostwick-Braun Industrial," said Pete Richichi, CEO. "We serve thousands of industrial customers in four states and sell nationally through our website. This transaction will deepen our industrial customer relationships and expand our product offerings."

Primarily serving manufacturers, construction companies, and metalworking shops, Bostwick-Braun Industrial companies include: 

• Columbus Fasteners Corp. (CFC) -fasteners, anchors, strut, other construction, and industrial supplies
• Wayne Fasteners, Inc. - fasteners' power tools, metal working tools, abrasives, and band saw blades
• EBN Industrial Supply – general construction and industrial supplies, including a wide variety of fastener and metal working tools
• JMC Sales & Engineering – metalworking tools, tooling accessories, saw blades, customized blades, and an authorized Lennox Welding Center
• MSI – Power tools and accessories, ladders, and other general industrial supplies

Collectively, Bostwick-Braun Industrial companies distribute 125,000 stock-keeping units (SKU) from 13 warehouses in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. 

In 2023, Knoxville, Tennessee-based House-Hasson had total sales of $350 million. Bostwick-Braun's sales were approximately $80 million.  

The company's sales staff provides expert service and support to its customers and is augmented by its website, www.bbindustrialsupply.com.

Bostwick-Braun's history dates to 1855. Until 12 years ago, the company principally supplied independent hardware stores. Its business started to change when, through acquisitions, Bostwick-Braun entered the industrial services field.

"Bostwick-Braun has a remarkable, and in many ways, unequaled history," Richichi said. "A business doesn't survive and grow over nearly 170 years without evolving. We will continue to provide customers with an extensive line of quality products by employee-owners who are committed to great customer service."

Bostwick-Braun is a 100% employee-owned company with 240 employee-owners.

Richichi added, "We're excited about our new focus and moving forward exclusively with industrial distribution."