AD, a member-owned buying and marketing group, is pleased to announce the merger of The Drake Group, LLC and AD’s Building Materials Division to form the AD Gypsum Supply Division. This union brings together two of the largest independent gypsum supply buying groups in the United States. AD Gypsum Supply is now comprised of 153 members with 387 branch locations.

“AD’s recent transition to a member-owned organization helped pave the way for these two giants in gypsum supply to come together," said Trent Chandler, executive committee chairman of the Drake Group and owner of Edgemont Stone & Supply Co. "By joining forces, we will get the best of both worlds; programs and services we value from Drake, expanded supplier and member relationships, and the multi-industry scale and professional infrastructure of AD. It’s a 1+1=3 scenario for all independent gypsum distributors.”

“The critical mass of our newly combined membership will provide additional scale," said Lenin Juarez, AD Building Materials Division board chairman and managing partner of Action Gypsum. "We are now the largest buyer of wallboard and steel framing in the USA. In addition, the increase in membership will significantly enhance our members’ ability to network and share best practices among the best independent gypsum distributors in the country.”

“I am very grateful to the AD Building Materials Board and the Executive Committee Members of the Drake Group for their effective collaboration and leadership during the merger conversations," said Dan Maroni, president of AD Building Materials and the new AD Gypsum Supply Division. "Over 10 years ago, the AMAROK Drywall cooperative joined AD to become AD Building Materials. I can speak without hesitation and from personal experience that when groups merge with AD, they are respected as equal partners. I look forward to ensuring that every new member of AD Gypsum Supply will receive the highest level of support from our team.”

The new AD Gypsum Supply Division will be part of the AD Building Materials Business Unit and will continue to be led by Dan Maroni. Robb Rugg, longtime Drake Group executive director, will be joining the new division in a consulting role through 2021 focused on the non-purchasing side of value-add.

"The significant synergies and strategic benefits of combining these two premier organizations is expected to result in mutual growth for leading gypsum manufacturers and distributors in the years to come," said Rugg.