Van Meter Integrating Werner Acquisition Quickly

Van Meter, which acquired Werner Electric (MN), earlier in the year is moving quickly to assimilate the company and to operate as one company.

There have been a number of management and marketing (and perhaps other departments) personnel changes at Werner which have facilitated the transition.

From an acquisition and financial viewpoint it shows the benefits of

• Due diligence (knowing the acquired company and, in this case, Van Meter know Werner due to the unique ownership structure.)
• Commonality in business focus and key lines
• Going into an acquisition with a plan to “streamline” and reduce “duplicity” to improve profitability.

According to a news release on Van Meter’s website, the management changes and rebranding will occur quickly.

“Van Meter Inc. announced today that Werner Electric Ventures LLC (known commercially as Werner Electric,), a Minnesota-based electrical distributor acquired by the company on April 30, 2021, will transition to the Van Meter brand identity. Additionally, new executive and sales leadership teams for its growing distribution business were shared.

“We’re moving quickly and purposefully toward doing business under the direction of a single leadership team and a common brand identity,” stated Lura McBride, Van Meter’s President and CEO. “Our intent to culturally unify our more than 800 employee-owners as a team committed to the same purpose with focus on the same goals is a driving force behind our approach.”

According to Karmen Wilhelm, Van Meter’s Chief Marketing Officer, the rebrand will begin in mid-June and be implemented as soon as the plan will allow. “Our employee-owners and business partners are excited about the change as it underscores our expanded presence in the industry, provides market clarity and establishes consistency across our locations and brand.”

McBride has appointed the following officers to lead Van Meter’s now seven-state, 25-location electrical distribution business: Brian Bytnar (Sales and Operations), Karmen Wilhelm (Marketing/e-Commerce), Nate Jensema (Finance), Melanie Fisher Doyle (Investments and Legal), Alicia Murphy (Organizational Effectiveness), and Jeff Miller (IT/Acquisition Integration).

Bytnar has named four vice presidents to lead customer-specific segments of its sales organization, Mike Hermann leading industrial and automation sales, Chad Wiltz leading renewable energy, and Rob Olney and Ryan Butterfield are taking responsibility for defined geographies within contractor sales. Olney will also lead a centralized lighting and gear quotations team. In the role of Executive Vice President of Operations, Tim McClimon, will oversee supplier strategies, distribution center and branch operations, and sales support functions.

McBride acknowledges the 20-year relationship between the teams at Werner Electric and Van Meter for enabling a fast-tracked integration. “There is a foundation of trust and respect among our teams that has them reaching out to get the work done as effectively as possible. Every day I see more of our people collaborating to define our new, best way of doing things—all with an eye toward creating lasting value for the people we serve. It’s inspiring,” concluded McBride.”