COLUMBUS, Ohio — The E.J. Thomas Co., a leading regional distributor of drycleaning and laundry supplies, announced last week that it has been sold to Randy Zimmerman and Matt Walter. Terms were not disclosed.
“I am very pleased to have Randy Zimmerman lead the next phase of the company’s growth,” said John Eckhardt, E.J. Thomas’ former owner. “His broad-based experience, emphasis on communication and teamwork, and strategic vision are a perfect fit for E.J. Thomas. Randy and Matt each have a wealth of knowledge and a record of successful business achievements.”
Eckhardt will remain involved with the company during the transition, and E.J. Thomas will keep all current employees. Zimmerman, whose background includes extensive management experience in other logistics-based companies and a record of increasing revenues, profits and customer satisfaction, will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations.
Matt Walter will provide counsel and strategic direction to E.J. Thomas. He is currently the managing partner of Talisman Capital Partners, a private equity partnership, and chairman of Sarnova Inc., a leading provider of healthcare products targeted to emergency and acute care.
“We look forward to building upon E.J. Thomas’ strong foundation, which includes a full line of products, many long-term customer relationships and an outstanding team. The company achieved solid growth in sales and increased its market presence under John Eckhardt’s leadership over the past three decades. Matt and I are committed to a smooth transition and maintaining the core values and culture that define E.J. Thomas as a company.”
Founded in 1936, E.J. Thomas Co. distributes a full line of drycleaning and laundry supplies to customers throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia.
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