JD Martin Expands Rocky Mountain Reach with I-Pro

JD Martin is making news again as it expands in the Rocky Mountain region with the acquisition of I-Pro Sales and Marketing.

According to the press release:

I-Pro Merges with JD Martin in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana

Two well-established firms unite to create more options for customers in three growing markets

HOUSTON, TEXAS – July 19, 2022 – Greg Baker, CEO/ President of JD Martin, and Tim Klinger, CEO/President, of I-Pro are pleased to announce the two firms have joined forces in the Rocky Mountain Region to form I-Pro Martin effective immediately.

I-Pro and JD Martin represent many of the same premier manufacturers’ and are confident regarding the numerous benefits of the collaboration. Their alignment accelerates the efficient delivery of services and support for local channel partners and customers while also expanding growth opportunities for represented manufacturers and product portfolios in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.

Baker said, “The I-Pro leadership team has built a solid, successful business. We share many of the same values and similar organizational cultures. Our decision to merge ensures, together, we are better positioned to meet the needs of our customers and the manufacturers we represent in the Rocky Mountain Region.”

Tim Klinger added, “We are grateful for the opportunity to join forces with the JD Martin team. Our shared vision enables us to strengthen a foundation built on trust and intentionally create an environment for all to grow.

I-Pro’s current leadership team, organizational structure and staff will remain intact while adding local headcount to boost service within existing markets. The firm will continue to provide exemplary service to the commercial, industrial, residential, utility and emerging markets. Tim Klinger will be named President & COO of I-Pro Martin while Greg Baker will hold the position of CEO.

I-Pro has served the Colorado and Wyoming markets since 1985. JD Martin — based out of Houston, Texas — entered Colorado earlier this year with two of their largest manufacturer partners.

Both firms share a common approach to supporting their markets. The merger allows both firms to leverage their collective strengths, multiply best practices, and enhance internal and external support for team members and customers by scaling an enlarged network and heightening a long-term, strategic positioning effort.”

The two companies have a number of lines in common.

The acquisition now expands JD Martin’s reach into 15 states. The company had expanded into Colorado and Wyoming previously, however, with the acquisition of I-Pro, the company significantly strengthens its linecard in this growing market and now expands into Montana. JD Martin now touches three coasts (Eastern, Southern and Northern).

There are some manufacturers that JD Martin either now represents in either all or most of their territories. Their reach creates some interesting opportunities for their manufacturers to potentially do some unique initiatives with the company due to their reach (marketing, market research, product development research, supply chain, technology) and, given the depth of some of the relationships, it is conceivable that the company has accelerated market share in some of those markets.

While it may appear that JD Martin desires regional / national relationships with manufacturers, and this may be true with its “platform” companies, there is room for other suppliers on individual region’s linecard as the regional leaders have discretion, perhaps some autonomy, to add lines that make sense for their market.

Congratulations to Tim Klinger and his team at I-Pro and congratulations to Greg Baker in completing his latest acquisition.

The question on everyone’s mind, however, is “where’s next”?