Houchens Acquires Controls Distributor H.H. Barnum

Retail, manufacturing and distribution conglomerate Houchens Industries, Inc. acquired H.H. Barnum Company.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Michigan-based H.H. Barnum is a distributor of controls for factory and warehouse automation.

The company employes roughly 300 people and serves customers in locations across the U.S. — Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“This transaction aligns perfectly with our strategic plan to further grow and diversify our ESOP,” Houchens CEO Dion Houchins said in a Sept. 3 news release. “We are extremely excited to work with Ed Koza, the leadership team, and all the employees who have built a tremendous organization. We look forward to the continued growth and success of the business.”

H.H. Barnum is the 14th company under Houchens’ umbrella, now including:

Manufacturing & Distribution

• H.H. Barnum
• Air Hydro Power (AHP)
• LEE Building Products
• Pan-Ston
• Stephens Pipe & Steel
• Tampico

Retail & Healthcare

• Cohen’s Fashion Optical
• Feeders Pet Supply
• Four Seasons
• Houchens Food Group
• Sheldon’s RX

Insurance

Construction

• Scotty’s Contracting
• TS Trucking
• Stewart Richey