Buying group AD, Wayne, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday announced it has finalized the merger agreement with Tampa, Florida-based SafetyNetwork, creating AD’s only safety-dedicated division focused on the growth of independent distributors specializing in the safety market. Financial terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

This milestone comes after a late-February vote in which SafetyNetwork’s independent members voted in favor to merge the two groups. AD said the merger is part of its “commitment to ensuring a strong future for independent distributors.”

This partnership will create the AD Safety Network Division, which will be led by Marisol Fernandez, who is also the president of the Industrial and Safety–U.S. Division.

“It’s my privilege to welcome SafetyNetwork’s staff, members and supplier partners, all of whom are well-respected in our industry,” Fernandez said.

The merger, which is scheduled to close Jan. 21, means that nearly 50 new members will join the AD community.

Burk Shaw, SafetyNetwork board chairman and president of goSafe, said the merger will further strengthen the position of independent safety distributors in the market.

“At a time when it’s never been more crucial to grow, this merger allows our members access to AD’s best-in-class suppliers and distinguishing growth programs like e-commerce,” he said. “We’re excited about joining the AD organization and leveraging new capabilities to accelerate the growth of safety distributors in the group,” Shaw said.

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“Mergers like this give us the ability to leverage our scale for all our members,” said AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg. “I’m looking forward to helping our new members integrate within the AD family and maximize all our programs to benefit their companies and the customers they serve in the safety industry.”