Broken Arrow, Oklahoma — BlackHawk Industrial, a market-leading independent distributor of metalworking, industrial, MROP, fasteners and packaging supplies, today announced the acquisition of Specialty Tool, Inc.

Founded in 1978, Specialty Tool is headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina. As one of the select premier metalworking distributors in the Southeast, Specialty Tool is a leading provider of cutting tools and metalworking supplies to a loyal and long-standing customer base in the manufacturing sector.

Bill Scheller, CEO of BlackHawk Industrial, said: "We believe that the entire team from Specialty Tool with their technical sales approach, deep local sales talent, and strong leadership is a perfect addition to the BlackHawk Family. Our goal is to integrate Specialty Tool into BlackHawk as soon as possible. Derek Upson, BlackHawk's VP of Eastern Regional Sales, and Chris Bignell, BlackHawk's VP of Customer Experience, will lead the integration process to begin capitalizing on our aggressive growth plans in the Southeast Region."

Mr. Scheller added: "We continue to attract and acquire the best local distributors in a given marketplace to become part of the business we are building in North America."

Specialty Tool is the 14th acquisition of 25 different companies by BlackHawk Industrial since the fall of 2010.

Derek Upson said: "We are excited to add the talented team from Specialty Tool to the BlackHawk Family. This operation will help us further penetrate an exciting market space in the United States. Specialty Tool will be a base of operations for BlackHawk, allowing us to expand rapidly in the Southeast Region. This acquisition is a perfect reflection of our tag line 'Big Enough to Serve, Small Enough to Care.' Our existing customer and supplier base from across the US have been very supportive of BlackHawk entering this marketplace to further support them."

Chris Bignell, VP of Customer Experience for BlackHawk, said: "Our goal is to integrate the operations of Specialty Tool within 60 days. After meeting with the Specialty Team this week, we believe that the strength of the BlackHawk infrastructure will give access to many new tools that make them, as part of BlackHawk, much stronger in the local marketplace. Our entire team in the Eastern Region is excited to support the team from Specialty Tool as they become new members of our family."

Mr. Upson also added: "Now that BlackHawk has a base of operation in the Southeast Region, we will add more locations and acquisitions in key cities to further expand our operations in the region. We will also attract additional sales and customer service personnel to join our BlackHawk Team."

About BlackHawk Industrial

BlackHawk Industrial is a market-leading industrial distributor with "BaseCamp" in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. BlackHawk is focused in metalworking such as carbide cutting tools, abrasives, saw blades, fabrication, and machining equipment. They also provide a full-line MROP, packaging, and specialized fastener product offerings. BlackHawk has a deep ability to provide custom industrial dispensing solutions and creative design, build, and supply chain solutions. By going above and beyond expectation, the knowledgeable and experienced FAMILY strives to deliver world-class service while providing AMAZEMENT for its customers, vendors, partners, and coworkers.

Sales Locations

Agawam MA, Broken Arrow OK, Chicago IL, Cleveland OH, Del Rio TX, Denver CO, Des Moines IA, Duncan OK, Fort Smith AR, Hartford CT, Hawthorne NJ, Kaukauna WI, Menomonie WI, Mexico, Milwaukee WI (2), Minneapolis MN, Nashua NH, Oklahoma City OK, Omaha NE, Otisfield ME, Peoria IL, Portland OR, Rockford IL, Rock Hill SC, Salt Lake City UT, Seattle WA, St. Cloud MN, Tulsa OK...

Contact

Bill Scheller
President / CEO
BlackHawk Industrial Distribution, Inc.
1501 SW Expressway Drive
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012
Cell: 918-360-1810
Work: 918-610-4710
Fax: 918-994-5483