Western Power Sports acquires Marshall Distributing
WPS (Western Power Sports, Inc.) and MDI (Marshall Distributing, Inc.) have agreed to terms by which WPS will acquire MDI, effective immediately. CEOs Craig Shoemaker (WPS) and Roger Marshall (MDI) have agreed to the deal after two weeks of negotiations that will see Cass City, Michigan-based MDI become part of WPS Distributing by spring 2015. The two distributors have been friendly competitors for many years, selling many of the same brands, and the move will serve to further strengthen WPS’ position within the powersports industry—the ultimate goal being an even higher level of service and delivery to its dealer network.
“We’re excited to continue the long term relationships the group of fellow enthusiasts at Marshall established throughout the years,” said Craig Shoemaker. “Like WPS, Marshall has a long and rich history in the powersports industry, and throughout their many years created lasting relationships with industry leading brands. Like Marshall, our dealers are not only our customers but many are like friends and family. I am excited about bringing the two together.”
“The merger of the two companies will benefit our dealer network by providing the same quality service with the added advantage of a broader product line for the dealers to choose from” said Roger Marshall who started manufacturing snowmobile windshields 46 years ago, the same year WPS started selling aftermarket snowmobile parts.
The immediate future will be business as usual at Marshall, with its Michigan and New York distribution warehouses continuing to fill daily orders; and inside sales, customer service, and tech support staff staying in place at its Michigan headquarters. WPS will begin the process of merging Marshall’s outside sales force with the existing WPS sales group over the next few months, with a goal of completing the merger as seamless as possible. More information will be forthcoming about the acquisition as details develop.
Marshall was a great distributor, and will be missed. It is really sad to see this race to the bottom. There are things more important then price (although Marshall was right there with price). Many of these mergers are going to leave brick and mortar stores with less product available competing against there own distributor.
Dealers: remember the big distributors are just going after parts sales today and do not care if you are in business next year, they are ready to take advantage to the next dealer.
Every time you open your wallet (wholesale, retail or services) you are voting, and small short term profits are not worth your future.
Best of luck to everyone at Marshall, I will continue to purchase very little from WPS.
I use Marshall predominantly for most of our aftermarket parts, I hope WPS will live up to the same standards! I do use WPS as a secondary supplier and they seem very well organized, and our rep Katie Jilek is so great to work with, I am sure that will continue.