SAN FRANCISCO — Gryphon Investors, a middle-market private equity firm, announced it has acquired Ed’s Supply Company Inc., a wholesale distributor of HVACR equipment, parts, and supplies with 19 locations across Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 Gryphon plans to operate Ed's Supply as an independent division of its Heritage Distribution Holdings platform, which recently rebranded from Wittichen Supply Holding Company. Ed’s Supply will join two existing companies, Benoist Brothers Supply Company, a Midwest-based regional distributor of HVACR equipment, parts, and supplies, and Wittichen Supply Company, a wholesale distributor of HVACR equipment, parts, supplies, and customer service to residential and commercial customers based in the Southeastern United States.

“We are excited to add Ed’s Supply to our multi-region distribution platform as we continue to expand," said Craig Nikrant, Gryphon’s dedicated operating partner to its Heritage Fund team. "The company’s proud history and focus on top-quality customer service makes it a great fit with our family of brands. With a growing multi-regional reach, we see a bright future for Heritage Distribution Holdings in an industry with a long runway for growth.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the entire Ed’s Supply team. Their robust product and service offerings are highly complementary to our existing lines and their strategic footprint will help us round out our presence in the attractive Southeast market," added Alex Averitt, CEO of Heritage Distribution Holdings.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Ed’s Supply serves both the commercial and residential markets and features one of the largest inventories of HVACR parts, equipment, and air distribution products in the Southeast. Steve Byram, former president of Ed’s Supply, will become an advisor to the Heritage Distribution Holdings management team. His son Tucker Byram, most recently vice president of operations, Nashville, will become president, and the current management team will remain with the company.

"We are delighted to become part of Gryphon’s Heritage Distribution Holdings platform with its broad financial and operational resources," Byram said. “ As part of a larger organization with a reputation for superior customer service, Ed’s Supply will continue to deliver premium service as we take advantage of additional growth opportunities.”

Heritage Distribution Holdings was advised by legal counsel Kirkland & Ellis. Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP served as legal counsel to Ed’s Supply, PNFP Capital Markets, Inc. served as exclusive financial advisor to Ed’s Supply, and Lakoff & Co. served as accounting advisor to Ed's Supply.