EIS, Inc., Atlanta, a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Co., has acquired Communications Products and Services (CPS), Englewood, Colo. CPS is a distributor of outside plant product solutions for both aerial and underground broadband cable and wireless network infrastructure. CPS primarily services the western United States from its one location in Colorado.
EIS CEO Bob Thomas said in the press release, “We are very pleased to bring Communications Products and Services into our Genuine Cable Group and the EIS family. CPS is one of the most successful distributors in the markets they serve and their team has built a great regional business since their founding in 1986. This acquisition will strengthen our business in the West and is a very important business-building opportunity for the Genuine Cable Group and EIS.”
Fred Briggs, CEO of CPS, added in the release, “CPS brings more than 30 years of product and application knowledge and an established position in the markets we serve. CPS will complement the Genuine Cable Group/EIS reputation for customer service and geographic reach and Genuine Cable Group/EIS will enhance the ability of CPS to service our national accounts as well as expand our product offering and service capabilities. I believe this is a win for our companies and our customers.”
Genuine Parts also added more industrial automation distribution to Motion Industries, the company’s industrial parts group. Braas Co., Eden Prairie, Minn., will join Motion Industries and add about $90 million a year to the group’s sales.
Braas is a multi-regional distributor of products and services for industrial automation and control, specializing in pneumatics, motion control, industrial networking, machine safety, robotics and related industrial parts. Founded in 1961, Braas serves thousands of customers throughout the Midwest and southeastern United States from a network of five sales offices and three warehouses.
Genuine Parts had 2015 revenues of $15.3 billion. EIS, the company’s Electrical/Electronic Group, ranked #13 on Electrical Wholesaling’s 2016 Top 200 with $752 million in sales, 33 locations and 1,090 employees. GPC is also a major distributor of automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia through its NAPA Auto Parts unit.