Blackford Capital, a leading lower-middle-market private equity firm, has acquired Empire Distributing, an outdoor living and hearth distributor.
This marks the latest add-on to the Patio Consolidation Platform and expands its operations to provide full product breadth with outdoor living and hearth items and achieve Blackford’s goal of creating an omnichannel platform to being a one-stop-shop for the backyard. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
Co-founded in 1978 by Mike and Lois Rupp in Arcade, New York, Empire Distributing is a premier distributor of hearth and outdoor living products servicing more than 780 dealers across the Northeast and Midwest U.S. Empire Distributing’s hearth product offerings include fireplaces, stoves, gas logs and inserts; its outdoor living items include firepits, fire tables, BBQ grills, kitchen islands, outdoor heaters and fireplaces.
With more than 75 product lines from over 100 industry-leading hearth and outdoor living manufacturers, and with nearly 200,000 square feet of office and warehouse space across three facilities, Empire Distributing brings extensive scaling capabilities and a dealer distribution channel to the Patio Consolidation Platform.
Blackford’s vision has been to build an asset-light, multiproduct, omnichannel marketing Platform for the outdoor living market. To build it into a comprehensive one-stop-shop, Blackford acquired Starfire Direct and Artificial Turf Supply in 2022 and, subsequently, LTD Online in 2023. The acquisition of Empire Distributing is expected to dramatically increase the Platform’s size and add a new distribution channel as well as new geographies.
“We are impressed by Empire Distributing’s strong sales talent and processes and are excited to welcome the company to the Patio Consolidation Platform,” says Martin Stein, founder and managing director of Blackford Capital. “With Empire, we’re positioned to enhance our distribution channels, broaden our product offerings, capture synergy and build operational efficiencies. We believe the outdoor living segment of the residential homeowner market has strong growth potential, and this acquisition strengthens our ability to lead in that space.”
Jeremy Rupp, president of family- and founder-owned Empire Distributing, is the son of the co-founders and will continue to lead the company following the acquisition. Rupp has 25 years of experience managing distribution and sales operations, and oversees warehouse management, logistical operations, purchasing/receiving and IT. His brother Jason will assume the role of new business development. The Rupps will remain employed at Empire Distributing through the acquisition, and employees will retain their current positions as the company focuses on growth within the consolidation platform and in the broader hearth and outdoor living market.
“We are delighted to join forces with Blackford and be part of Patio Consolidation Platform,” says Jeremy Rupp. “Partnering with their experienced management team will allow us to diversify our product lines and expand into new markets. We are excited to gain Blackford’s sourcing expertise and to partner with the existing Patio Platform companies.”
Paramax served as the exclusive financial adviser to Empire Distributing on the transaction.
Loeb & Loeb and Varnum LLP served as legal counsel for Blackford Capital. Mercantile Bank and Energy Impact Partners provided financing for the acquisition. Grant Thornton, Hilco Global and Plante Moran advised on financial and tax diligence.
