B&F Fastener Supply Acquires Longtime Rival
Ramsey-based B&F Fastener Supply announced this week that it has acquired its long-time competitor, Northern States Supply. Combined, with nearly 300 employees and 21 locations from Minnesota to North Dakota and Nebraska, the companies hope to create what they describe as a “regional powerhouse distributor” of industrial and construction supplies.
“We’re thrilled to welcome all of Northern States Supply’s employees, customers, and product offerings to our family,” Nicole Baltes, B&F Fastener Supply president, said in a statement. “This is an exciting time in both companies’ history, as we look forward to better serving current and future customers with an expanded selection of products and services and a wider reach than ever before.”
This is B&F’s fifth acquisition since 2017.
Founded in 1988, B&F Fastener Supply supplies industrial and construction equipment to clients in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. The addition of Willmar-based Northern States Supply, which has been in business since 1960, will expand its reach, with seven locations across the upper Midwest. The move adds power tools, cutting tools, and jobsite accessories to the B&F lineup.
Northern States will retain its name for now, and its approximately 80 employees.
“Through our 35 years in business and several acquisitions, we have never laid anybody off and we intend to keep it that way,” Baltes told TCB.
Added Northern States President Tina Erpenbach, “We have long admired B&F Fastener Supply as a competitor and are so pleased to be part of their company. We are both industry-leading businesses that supply the highest quality products and secondto-none customer experiences, making this the perfect strategic partnership.”
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
In late 2020, B&F received a Minnesota Family Business Award from TCB.
