Two privately-held companies, Dallas-based D-FW Supply Co. and San Antonio's PFV Supply Co., have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction effective Jan. 1, 2004. The combined company is named Ameripipe Supply, Inc. and will maintain headquarters in Dallas.

Ameripipe employs more than 90 people, and will operate offices and distribution centers in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Oklahoma City, along with pipe fabrication services from the Dallas, San Antonio and Oklahoma City branches.

“Our two companies have competed and cooperated vigorously for many years. Now, it's time to join forces to form an even stronger company with national buying power, a larger PVF inventory and the service of a locally owned enterprise,” said Jerome James, founder, chairman and president of D-FW Supply Co. and chairman of Ameripipe Supply.

“Our customers, product lines and geographic regions complement each other incredibly well,” said Marvin Kunkel, founder, chairman and president of PFV Supply, and vice chairman of Ameripipe Supply. “D-FW Supply brings expertise in fire protection and our company is uniquely strong in the oilfield. Both have deep roots in the mechanical PVF markets - no other pair of PVF companies in this region could have fit so well together,” he added.

D-FW Supply and PFV Supply both were members of the Delta Buying Group, a national consortium of PVF wholesalers. The merged company will continue to participate in Delta, said James.

James founded D-FW Supply in 1979. Kunkel started PFV Supply in 1981 after an 11-year tenure with ESCO in San Antonio.

“Marvin and I believe there's still a place in the U.S. PVF industry for strong, independent distributors,” James said. “We both believe in treating customers like friends and employees like family.”