The Wayne, Pennsylvania-based AD buying group announced the completion of the transition of ownership from AD’s longtime Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg to the group’s distributor members.

AD was founded in 1981 by Bill Weisberg’s father, David Weisberg. Bill Weisberg became sole owner and chairman of the group in 1991. Under Bill Weisberg’s leadership, AD expanded into seven additional wholesale industries, entered Canada and Mexico, and increased member services to include eCommerce as well as HR and Procurement.  Total annual sales for the group’s members increased from $2.9 billion to more than $35 billion.  Net distributions to group members grew from $31 million to more than $650 million per year.

“One of the saddest things to witness in any industry is what happens when an independent distributor sells to a national chain,” Weisberg said. “Long-time suppliers, customers and employees often are negatively affected. And so, it was important to me, as a person who’s spent almost my entire career at AD, that it would transition to people and companies that highly valued our culture, people, strategy and services. I’m very pleased that AD’s members now are our owners and will directly elect AD’s board. There’s no doubt in my mind that under their direction, the management team and I can continue to serve our members and supplier partners with great distinction and provide fulfilling work in a positive environment for our associates.”

Russ Visner (Etna Distributors), co-chair of the AD Board of Directors and chairperson of the special committee that led the process, added: “The original plan, established many years ago, was to transition ownership to AD’s members upon Bill’s departure. However, we felt it would be better if he was still involved when we made the move. In that way Bill could assist in the transition and continue to help our members and suppliers grow during the remaining years on his contract.”

Tammy Miller, CEO of Border States and a member of the AD special committee, shared: “The finalization of this process was a natural evolution. AD members always have had a strong voice in the organization. But there are important governing differences when an entity changes from having one owner to having hundreds. The AD Board of Directors, elected by AD’s owner members, now is its governing body and has fiduciary responsibilities to those owners.”

The initial directors of the AD LLC Board are:

• Tim Arenberg, President & CEO, Columbia Pipe & Supply;
• Martin Deschenes, Vice Chairman, Group Deschenes;
• Jeff Hockin, CEO, Crum Electric Supply;
• Tim Horsman, President & CEO, E.B. Horsman Co.;
• Lenin Juarez, Managing Partner, Action Gypsum Supply;
• Tammy Miller, CEO, Border States;
• Brian Peirce, President & CEO, Peirce-Phelps;
• Jeff Pope, President, F.W. Webb Co.;
• Donald Slominski Jr., President & CEO, McNaughton McKay Electric Co.;
• Russ Visner, Co-Chair of the Board, Etna Distributors & Lead Director, AD Board;
• Bill Weisberg, CEO, AD; and
• John Wiborg, President, Stellar Industrial Supply.

“For many of us long-time members, we felt it was important to solidify the future of AD,” Horsman said. “With this transition, AD is set for long-term business continuity. Additionally, I am very pleased that AD’s members in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. have equal rights in the structure.”

AD is the largest member-owned contractor and industrial products wholesale buying / marketing group in North America. It provides independent distributors and manufacturers of construction and industrial products with support and resources that accelerate growth, it noted.  AD’s 500-plus independently owned members span seven industries and three countries with annual sales in excess of $37 billion. AD served industries include electrical, industrial, plumbing, PVF, HVAC, building materials, bearings & power transmission and decorative brands.