Winsupply Inc., one of the largest distributors in the nation, has closed on the purchase of assets of ASAP Industrial Supply, an industrial pipe, valves and fittings distributor in southern California. Details of the purchase were not disclosed.

 

ASAP Industrial Supply, which is changing its name to Inland Empire Windustrial and becoming part of the Winsupply Family of Companies, serves industrial contractors in the Inland Empire of California with pipe, valves and fittings.

 

Jason Johnson becomes president of Inland Empire Windustrial and is purchasing equity in the company under Winsupply's shared ownership business model. Johnson is a former upper level executive in the restaurant industry who has been in Winsupply's training program for prospective local company owners over the past year.  

 

"ASAP Industrial Supply has a strong presence in the Inland Empire and this acquisition fills a market need for Winsupply in serving industrial customers from Riverside to Fontana to San Bernardino," said Monte Salsman, president of Winsupply Acquisitions Group.

 

Johnson said, "I grew up in the plumbing world as my father owned a large plumbing company." He left his father's business to work for 16 years as a regional vice president for two major restaurant chains and then as CEO of a medical device manufacturer before joining Winsupply. "I have always felt at home in the humbleness of the plumbing-construction trade, and wanted to get back to my roots. Service and employee gratification and happiness has always been a key attribute to success in my life. Winsupply inspired me when hearing of the long term, happy employees that run these companies."

 

In the Winsupply business model, Winsupply is the majority owner of its companies, reflecting its shared-ownership business model in which local entrepreneurs have autonomy to decide how best to serve their customers, and to share in the financial risks and rewards of ownership.