September 24, 2026 — AD, a Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) member, has completed its acquisition of Supply Force and begun integrating the business into its operations. AD has also introduced refreshed branding that connects Supply Force more closely with the AD brand.
The AD, LLC and Supply Force boards of directors unanimously approved the acquisition. Supply Force shareholders also voted overwhelmingly in favor of the transaction. Representatives from both boards served on a joint special committee that guided the process for several months.
More than 80 Supply Force associates will join AD through the acquisition. They will continue operating Supply Force as an optional, value-added program for AD members. The program joins AD eCommerce, AD Center for Independent Leadership and other optional services available to members.
‘The First Step’ Toward New Investments
AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg thanked the boards and committee members for their leadership. He also recognized leaders from both organizations who helped bring the companies together. Weisberg said they considered shareholders, members, supplier partners, associates and Supply Force national account customers throughout the process.
John Harman, president of The Kendall Group and Supply Force chairman, called finalizing the acquisition “the first step.” He said AD can invest in solutions that help members compete more effectively. Those investments can support independent distributors pursuing large, multi-site customer opportunities.
“AD is well-positioned to make the necessary investments in technically advanced solutions,” Harman said. He expressed support for AD’s plans to integrate and expand the Supply Force program. “We are excited about the future,” he said.
The acquisition marks AD’s 18th transaction with another member-owned group. AD has used those transactions to build scale across multiple industries. The organization says that scale can create new opportunities for its members and supplier partners.
Supply Force Introduces a New Look
Following the acquisition, AD launched a refreshed Supply Force brand. The update includes a new logo, tagline and color palette. AD said the organization’s fundamental commitments to members, suppliers, associates and customers remain unchanged.
“The new logo references National Coverage,” Weisberg said. The concept represents AD members’ reach across the industrial and construction markets they serve. It also recognizes the relationships members maintain with their customers and suppliers.
AD’s Supply Force acquisition adds more than 80 associates and expands services for independent distributors.
The logo pairs that national reach with “local excellence,” Weisberg said.
The phrase reflects how AD members deliver products and services within their markets. AD said the updated identity represents more than a new visual appearance. The brand also reflects AD’s plans to build capabilities supporting the Supply Force program. Those investments aim to strengthen its service and deliver on its value proposition.
AD President of National Accounts Shannon Bibbee said the new identity reinforces Supply Force’s established role. He described that role as “independent distributors achieving big results for customers, together.” The program allows those distributors to collaborate without losing what makes them independent.
AD has begun introducing the updated branding across its digital platforms and corporate communications.
Read the Supply Force acquisition news release.
Read the Supply Force brand update news release.
AD is the largest contractor and industrial products wholesale purchasing cooperative in North America. AD provides independent distributors and manufacturers of construction and industrial products with support and resources that accelerate growth and enhance profitability. AD has 1,000-plus independently owned distributors span 13 divisions in the U.S., Mexico and Canada with annual sales exceeding $100 billion. AD’s 13 divisions cover industries including electrical, industrial, safety, construction tools, bearings and power transmission, plumbing, PVF, HVAC, decorative brands, waterworks, and building materials. AD is owned and governed by its members. For more information, visit adhq.com.
About AD
Additional Resources
- AD Member Sales Reach a Record $58 Billion Through First Six Months of 2026
- AD Receives Multiple Workplace Recognitions in 2026
- AD and The Commonwealth Group, An Alliance of PHCP distributors, Announce Their Intent to Merge