Blackford Capital, a leading lower middle market private equity firm, has acquired Empire Distributing, an outdoor living and hearth distributor, the latest add-on to the Patio Consolidation Platform.
Co-Founded in 1978 by Mike and Lois Rupp in Arcade, NY, Empire Distributing is a distributor of hearth and outdoor living products servicing more than 780 dealers across the Northeast and Midwest US.
Jeremy Rupp, president of family-and founder-owned Empire Distributing, and son of the co-founders, will continue to lead the company.
Paramax served as the exclusive financial advisor to Empire Distributing on the transaction.
Loeb & Loeb and Varnum LLP served as legal counsel for Blackford Capital. Mercantile Bank and Energy Impact Partners provided financing for the acquisition. Grant Thornton, Hilco Global and Plante Moran advised on financial and tax diligence.
In further news, Blackford has appointed John Snowden as CEO of its Patio Consolidation Platform, effective November 4. He will spearhead Blackford’s vision to "Own the Backyard" by building a comprehensive, omni-channel platform that capitalizes on the outdoor living market.
Snowden brings over three decades of leadership experience, including roles as Chief Operating Officer at Recom and Chief Executive Officer of Trademark Global LLC. His track record includes transforming mid-market companies into powerhouse brands through data-driven insights, supply chain optimization, and successful integrations of multiple acquisitions.
Co-Founded in 1978 by Mike and Lois Rupp in Arcade, NY, Empire Distributing is a distributor of hearth and outdoor living products servicing more than 780 dealers across the Northeast and Midwest US.
Jeremy Rupp, president of family-and founder-owned Empire Distributing, and son of the co-founders, will continue to lead the company.
Paramax served as the exclusive financial advisor to Empire Distributing on the transaction.
Loeb & Loeb and Varnum LLP served as legal counsel for Blackford Capital. Mercantile Bank and Energy Impact Partners provided financing for the acquisition. Grant Thornton, Hilco Global and Plante Moran advised on financial and tax diligence.
In further news, Blackford has appointed John Snowden as CEO of its Patio Consolidation Platform, effective November 4. He will spearhead Blackford’s vision to "Own the Backyard" by building a comprehensive, omni-channel platform that capitalizes on the outdoor living market.
Snowden brings over three decades of leadership experience, including roles as Chief Operating Officer at Recom and Chief Executive Officer of Trademark Global LLC. His track record includes transforming mid-market companies into powerhouse brands through data-driven insights, supply chain optimization, and successful integrations of multiple acquisitions.
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