Counselor Top 40 Distributor GEIGER (asi/202900) yesterday announced its intent to purchase Forrester-Smith Inc. (asi/196480). Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The new company, to be now known as Forrester-Smith, a division of Geiger, will continue to be headed by president Wing Hughes, who will also join Geiger's board of directors. Hughes purchased the distributorship in 1986 and has grown it from 18 sales associates to 140 reps today covering 28 states with a strong presence in the Southeast.

In a statement, Hughes praised the deal with Geiger as a potential avenue of even further growth for Forrester-Smith. "The strength and stability of Forrester-Smith can only be enhanced by joining Geiger," he said. "Forrester-Smith has been on a growth track. Becoming part of Geiger will only help to springboard sales growth for the future."

This acquisition is sure to push Geiger up in next year's Top 40 ranking. While the company currently ranks as the industry's eighth-largest distributor, the addition of more than $20 million in annual sales from Forrester-Smith should contribute to impressive growth for the overall organization next year.

Peter Geiger (left) and Jo-an Lantz from Geiger, along with Wing Hughes of Forrester-Smith.

For more information on this deal, check out our report in PromoGram on Tuesday, August 8.