Klipboard Acquires Savance to Cement US Wholesale Distribution Hold

HUNGERFORD, England – January 15, 2026 – Global business software provider Klipboard today announced its acquisition of Savance Enterprise, a specialist ERP platform for the US wholesale distribution market. The move signals a significant acceleration of Klipboard's strategy to capture a larger share of the lucrative North American market and deepens its expertise in key distribution verticals.

This acquisition brings Savance Enterprise, a Michigan-based firm known for its tailored solutions for the electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and industrial supply sectors, under the umbrella of a global software giant with over 55,000 customers worldwide. For an industry grappling with digital transformation, the merger promises to combine Klipboard's extensive cloud-based resources with Savance's deep, niche-specific functionality.

A Strategic Play for US Market Leadership

While this acquisition marks a major milestone, it is the continuation of a long-term, deliberate expansion into North America for Klipboard. The company, which rebranded from its former identity as Kerridge Commercial Systems in the spring of 2025, has been steadily building its US presence for years. With a dedicated Americas leadership team headed by CEO Dean Petrone, Klipboard already serves a notable roster of US clients in the distribution space.

Companies like lumber and building materials distributors Interstate and Turkstra, flooring specialist Adleta Corp., and waterworks distributor Fortiline currently leverage Klipboard’s existing ERP solutions. This established footprint demonstrates the company's capability in handling the complex demands of American distributors. The acquisition of Savance Enterprise, however, is a clear strategic pivot from organic growth to aggressive market consolidation.

By integrating Savance, Klipboard not only gains a robust, scalable ERP platform but also absorbs decades of specialized knowledge and a loyal customer base within the US. Savance's system was built from the ground up to handle large data volumes for multiple users, a critical feature for distributors managing vast inventories and complex supply chains. This move strengthens Klipboard's portfolio and positions it as a formidable competitor against both large, horizontal ERP providers and smaller, specialized players.

Ian Bendelow, CEO of Klipboard, emphasized the strategic value of the deal. "This acquisition strengthens our presence in the wholesale distribution market and brings additional expertise into our business," he stated. "This acquisition clearly demonstrates Klipboard's commitment to growth and investment in the US and North American markets."

Bridging the Gap for Modern Distributors

The US wholesale distribution market is at a critical juncture. Many businesses are hampered by legacy systems, disconnected software, and manual processes that create operational bottlenecks and erode margins. Industry analysis indicates that modern ERP adoption can slash operational expenses by 15-25% and reduce manual tasks by up to 50%. The demand is for a single, integrated system that provides real-time visibility from procurement to final delivery.

The combination of Klipboard and Savance Enterprise aims to be the definitive answer to this challenge. Savance built its reputation by creating a unified system integrating accounting, purchasing, sales, and warehouse management. Its platform translates millions of daily data points into actionable insights, a crucial capability for data-driven decision-making.

For existing Savance Enterprise customers, the acquisition promises access to a much broader ecosystem of tools. "Joining Klipboard represents a huge opportunity for Savance Enterprise," said Jason Plasencia, Founder and CEO of Savance Enterprise. "Access to the resources and expertise that Klipboard provides will enable Savance Enterprise to accelerate growth and improve our ability to deliver a great solution for both new and existing customers."

This means Savance clients may soon be able to tap into Klipboard's advanced cloud-hosted platforms, potentially expanding their capabilities in areas like CRM, e-commerce, and mobile workforce management. For Klipboard, the acquisition enriches its offerings with a solution already optimized for the specific pain points of electrical, HVAC, and plumbing suppliers, allowing for a more compelling pitch to new prospects in these high-value sectors.

The Rise of Specialized, Cloud-First ERP

This deal also highlights a significant trend in the enterprise software industry: the shift toward vertical specialization. For years, massive ERP providers like SAP, Oracle, and Infor offered broad, one-size-fits-all platforms that required extensive customization for specific industries. Today, the market is rewarding vendors that offer deep, purpose-built functionality out of the box.

Klipboard's strategy embodies this trend. Instead of diluting its focus, it is doubling down on key verticals like distribution. The acquisition of Savance Enterprise is a textbook example of this, bringing in a team and a product with an intimate understanding of a specific market segment. This vertical expertise allows for faster implementation, higher user adoption, and a more immediate return on investment for customers.

Furthermore, the combination of Savance's on-premise and cloud-capable ERP with Klipboard's cloud-native architecture aligns with the industry's inexorable move to the cloud. Distributors increasingly require the flexibility to access data and manage operations from anywhere, a need that has only intensified in recent years. By offering a wider range of cloud solutions, the combined entity is well-positioned to meet the evolving technological expectations of the market.

The integration will likely focus on creating a seamless experience where customers can leverage the best of both worlds—the specialized workflows of Savance and the expansive, cloud-powered business management tools of Klipboard. This synergy could set a new standard for what distributors expect from their technology partners, moving beyond a simple system of record to a comprehensive platform for growth and innovation.

As Klipboard integrates the Savance team and technology, the North American distribution software market will be watching closely. The move not only enhances Klipboard's competitive standing but also reinforces the notion that in the modern ERP landscape, deep industry knowledge is the ultimate currency.