Northern Safety Co., Inc. announced recently that it has completed its acquisition of Southland Industrial Supply Inc., a distributor of safety and industrial supplies based in Flowery Branch, Ga.

With locations in Georgia, Delaware, Missouri and Kansas, Southland Industrial Supply has more than 30 years of experience supplying safety and industrial supplies primarily to the food processing market. The acquisition boosts Northern Safety’s presence in the Southeastern United States, provides Northern Safety with Southland’s expertise in the burgeoning U.S. food processing market and adds top-quality offerings to both companies’ catalogs.

Looking for new verticals

“We are continuously looking to expand our presence in new verticals and Southland Industrial Supply brings such an opportunity,” said Sal Longo, founder and CEO of Northern Safety Co., Inc. “In addition to Southland’s strong national presence in the food processing market, Northern Safety will gain new relationships with leading vendors in the food processing market and a Southeastern hub in which to grow our industrial safety business.”

Southland Industrial Supply was incorporated in Georgia in 1984. The business operated with seven employees from one location until 2003, when Juliet and Troy Hughes and Wanda and Thomas “Rusty” Barnes purchased minority interests in the company. Since then, Southland has nearly tripled its sales, grown its staff and opened three new distribution centers in three states. The Hughes’ and Barnes’ completed their purchase of Southland from its previous majority owners in 2007. 

Southland Industrial Supply’s four distribution centers include a 32,000-square-foot facility just outside of Atlanta in Flowery Branch, Ga., a 6,110-square-foot location in Bridgeville, Del., a 14,000-square-foot distribution center in Dodge City, Kan., and a 14,000-square-foot warehouse in a Foreign Trade Zone in Independence, Mo.

With the acquisition, Longo said Northern Safety gains Southland’s proficiency in industries valued by prospective customers. Longo said the acquisition will be “tremendous” for Southland’s customers as well, offering a collection of new services and an expanded level of support across the nation. Meanwhile, Longo said customers of both companies will enjoy more competitive prices and an array of new, top-quality product offerings.

A variety of services

In addition to providing personal protection, Southland Industrial Supply provides plant surveys, safety and ergonomic analysis, knife sharpening services, stainless steel mesh repair, and safety sign audits for its customers. Southland officially joined Northern Safety on Feb. 2, 2015.

Northern Safety Co., Inc. is a national distributor of top quality safety and industrial supplies. The company currently services more than 100,000 customers and employs nearly 500 people across its 20 locations. Its headquarters in Frankfort, New York, serves as its main call center, operational center, and primary distribution center.