February 12, 2019 – AD, a member-owned buying and marketing group for electrical supplies and other products, has announced plans to merge with IDI, a co-operative network of Canadian distributors of industrial supplies, power transmission devices, bearing products, fluid power and safety products, effective Apr. 1. The transaction will create a new brand, ‘AD Canada Industrial & Safety.’

Merging with IDI will add 107 independent industrial distributors with more than 360 locations to AD, along with 21 employees and a distribution centre in Mississauga, Ont. The deal marks AD’s ninth merger since it was founded and its fourth within Canada, following previous agreements with Canadian electrical groups in 1993 and 2012 and a plumbing and heating group in 2016. Today, AD’s Canadian members represent 20% of its consolidated sales.

The IDI merger further enhances the group’s private label and redistribution capabilities, reaffirms AD’s commitment to independent industrial distribution throughout North America and reinforces the value of single industry groups coming together under the AD multi-industry umbrella.

“We are proud to join this group,” says IDI board chair Steve Drummond. “IDI members will now get the best of both worlds: programs and services we value from IDI; and the multi-divisional scale and infrastructure of AD.”

Current IDI president Rob Dewar (pictured, top row, second from left) will remain president of AD Canada Industrial & Safety. Also pictured at the merger signing, from left to right, are IDI vice-president (VP) of finance and operations Brad Harper, IDI board member Scott Simpson, AD Industrial president and chief programs officer Jack Templin, AD chief financial officer (CFO) Drew Moyer and IDI VP of supplier relations John Morrison.

“The investment AD continues to make in e-commerce is unparalleled and will be a true game-changer for the new members,” says Dewar.