ERIKS North America announced Nov. 15 that it has acquired Louisville, Kentucky-based Branham Corporation, which is a fabricator and distributor of industrial hoses, gaskets, conveyor belts and related services.

ERIKS NA was No. 42 on MDM’s 2023 Top Industrial Distributors List, and No. 3 for Hose/Hose Accessories distributors.

Founded in 1973 as Branham-Mingis by the late William Branham and Stephen Mingis, Branham has grown to include five fabrication/distribution facilities and eight sales locations covering the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast regions. The company now has a staff of more than 100.

ERIKS NA said Doug Branham will remain with the company as its co-President.

“ERIKS North America is a great fit for our company. Leveraging the scale of ENA affords us the opportunity to take our industry-leading products and services to places we could not hope to on our own,” Doug Branham said in a news release. “The future of our associates has always been top-of-mind for us and we know that the benefits offered by, and the culture that exists at ENA will create a great place for our associates to continue their important work. As we celebrate our 50th year solving problems for our customers, we could not be happier about the prospects for the next 50 years.”

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It marks the second acquisition of 2023 for ERIKS NA, following its addition of Canada-based hydraulic and industrial hose assemblies distributor DeeTag Ltd. in January.

“Doug Branham and Steve Mingis, along with their dedicated associates, have built a powerful organization that solves technical problems for their customers,” added ERIKS NA Chief Executive Jeff Crane. “Branham brings geographic expansion and unique product and service capabilities that align seamlessly with our commitment to delivering top-tier solutions and services to our growing list of North American customers. We are excited to welcome all the Branham associates to our great company and we look forward to working closely with them as we put our unique brands, capabilities and geographic reach to work…together.”

A portfolio company of LKCM Headwater Investments, ERIKS NA was divested from its former parent company, Netherlands-based ERIKS N.V. at the end of March 2022. Crane re-joined the company as its CEO this past June after previously serving as its president and CEO from 2006 to 2015 when it was previously known as Lewis-Goetz.

“Our long-term goal has always been to deliver above-market organic growth. Today’s announcement is just the most recent example of the reigniting of our inorganic growth engine as well,” Crane added. “We remain committed to the successful execution of this dual-growth strategy for years to come.”