Distributor group Singer Industrial expands into Georgia with latest purchase

DALLAS—Rubber goods distributor Singer Industrial now has its first foothold in Georgia with its Aug. 31 acquisition of family-owned American Hose & Hardware Inc.

AH&H has served the Atlanta and Macon, Ga., markets for more than 45 years under the leadership of Dean, Mark and Kenny Smith. The firm supplies hydraulic, industrial and metal hose, fittings and adapters to more than 1,000 customers in the construction, food and beverage, and transportation end markets, according to a Singer news release.

"AH&H's commitment to quickly solving customers' problems is exactly the type of culture and mindset we value at Singer Industrial," said Singer CEO Craig Osborne. "We are very proud to partner with these devoted employees and add these two Georgia locations to our footprint."

The addition brings Dallas-based Singer Industrial's North America footprint to about 90 locations with over 1,200 employees.

Dean Smith will continue to manage the AH&H team and locations.

"After 45 years of operating a family-owned business started by my father, Robert Smith, we're excited to enter a new era through a partnership with Singer Industrial," AH&H President Dean Smith said in a statement. "This partnership provides us the opportunity to expand our product and service offering that we are known for."

Sam Petillo, president of Singer's Industrial Rubber Division, said the "AH&H team have earned a great reputation for their broad product offering and dedication to customer service."

Singer Industrial looks to improve customer productivity with innovative industrial solutions. The distributor group offers a wide line of fluid power, hose and fittings, belts, seals and gaskets, pneumatic and automation products and services.

Earlier this year, the firm rebranded from SBP Holdings to Singer Industrial to better highlight its focus on industrial businesses and applications of all types.

It also announced in April that AEA Investors Small Business Private Equity had completed a continuation fund with $384 million in capital commitments. AEA said the continuation fund then acquired a majority interest in Singer Industrial from AEA Investors Small Business Fund II L.P. (SBF II) and its other owners.

The private equity group said the investment is aimed at fueling "Singer Industrial's sustained growth and expansion as a leading industrial rubber and fluid power platform, while accelerating its robust M&A strategy."