In a transaction involving a pair of industrial PVF master distributors, Houston-based Dodson Global recently acquired Stone Mountain, Ga.-based Val-Fit’s inventory.

Dodson Global President Greg Wheeler told Supply House Times Val-Fit’s inventory will be shipped to Dodson Global warehouses in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, New Jersey and Los Angeles over the next 60 days.

Val-Fit’s original Los Angeles location will now operate as Dodson Global Los Angeles.

“We are very thrilled to have both a sales office and warehouse in this location to better serve our customers,” Wheeler said.

Val-Fit President Gyl Grinberg said the company’s Atlanta and Houston locations will shut down within the next three to six months. Wheeler confirmed the addition of Val-Fit’s inside salesforce from its Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles locations. “This addition to our industry-leading salesforce positions us for a very bright future,” Wheeler said.

According to Grinberg, the decision to sell the company’s inventory boiled down to a pair of motivating factors, including the passing of his father. Ismael Grinberg, an industry icon, died earlier this year at the age of 91. The Grinberg family also operates Tuvansa, an extremely successful PVF and fire-protection distributorship in Mexico.

“First, the passing of my father has created a huge need for more direct involvement in Mexico,” Grinberg told Supply House Times. “We have a great business there with a very positive outlook. Both Roy (Gyl’s brother and Val-Fit managing director) and I need to devote more time and energy to it. Further, Val-Fit has been deeply affected by the oil and gas downturn and we believe family commitments and resources are currently better positioned in Mexico.

“This was a difficult decision, but one that is best for the Grinberg family. Val-Fit is a great company with a superb reputation. Our team is excellent and we are very proud of what we have accomplished since 1979. We built incredible relationships with our employees, customers and vendors. Val-Fit always has been highly regarded in the PVF industry.”

Grinberg said Dodson was a good fit for the company’s inventory for many reasons. “They handle their company with a family atmosphere and that gave us piece of mind knowing many of our employees now working at Dodson would find a comfortable new home,” he said. “Product-wise, Val-Fit has historically been very strong on the import generic side and that complements Dodson’s strength in the approved and domestic side. Our inventory will allow Dodson to become a big player in the generic import market. Lastly, our customers and vendors will enjoy dealing with Dodson, making this a smooth transition for them as well.”

Wheeler noted Val-Fit’s offerings and reputation in the marketplace weighed heavily into the inventory acquisition. “Val-Fit has been both a great customer and a competitor for a number of years,” he said. “The inventory purchase will allow Dodson to take a stronger position in the generic import business. Val-Fit provides an existing relationship with key supplier partners that allow us to offer a wider product offering. The addition of Los Angeles provides an immediate platform for Dodson to be on the West Coast.”

Grinberg reflected on the impact Val-Fit has made since opening its doors in the late 1970s. “Our family always has conducted business with honesty, ethics and straight-forward dealings,” he said. “Employees, customers and vendors are considered associates and a huge reason for our success. We have received amazing calls and letters from our partners and friends expressing love and admiration while thanking us for being a part of their lives. At the end of the day, we always wanted to run a respectable business with a great reputation and with a solid standing in the PVF industry. I think we accomplished all those goals.”

Grinberg said his family is ready to take the Mexico business to even greater heights.

“First and foremost, we will have a lot more involvement in our Mexican operation,” he said. “We have a 60-year-old PVF distribution business that sells pipe, fittings, flanges, valves and fire-protection products. We have four stocking locations, 165 employees and deep roots in the Mexican PVF markets. There is a lot to do.”