Turner Supply's Atlanta Gambit: Acquires Progressive in Strategic Play

MOBILE, AL – February 04, 2026 – Turner Supply, a fourth-generation industrial distributor, has made a significant strategic move into one of the Southeast's most vital economic hubs, announcing its acquisition of Progressive Supply. The deal, which closed on January 31, 2026, gives the Mobile, Alabama-based company its first physical branch in the bustling Atlanta market and marks a new chapter in its aggressive expansion strategy.

Progressive Supply, a well-regarded provider of maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) solutions based in Woodstock, Georgia, will be fully integrated and operate under the Turner Supply name. This facility becomes Turner's ninth location, providing a crucial foothold to better serve its existing customers in North Georgia and launch a concerted effort to capture a larger share of the region's vast industrial and commercial sectors.

A Strategic Foothold in a Vital Market

The entry into Atlanta is more than just adding a new pin on the map for the 121-year-old company; it's a calculated play in a high-stakes market. The Atlanta metropolitan area serves as a critical logistics and distribution nerve center for the entire Southeast. Its industrial sector, while showing signs of normalizing after a period of supercharged growth, remains robust. Recent market data from late 2025 indicated a stabilizing environment, with positive net absorption of industrial space and a market transitioning to a more balanced state—an opportune moment for a new major player to solidify its position.

While Turner Supply has remotely served customers in North Georgia for years, the establishment of a physical branch in Woodstock provides a tangible presence and local inventory essential for competing in the demanding MRO space. This sector, which provides everything from safety equipment and abrasives to power tools for manufacturing, construction, and utilities, thrives on speed and availability. By acquiring Progressive Supply, Turner gains an established operational base and a team with deep local knowledge, positioning it to challenge national giants like Grainger and Fastenal who have long dominated the area. The acquisition targets Progressive's core customer base in construction, manufacturing, welding, and utilities, which aligns perfectly with Turner's existing expertise.

A Pattern of Aggressive Growth

This acquisition is the latest and perhaps most significant move in a period of unprecedented growth for Turner Supply. It represents the company's eleventh acquisition in its long history but, more tellingly, its fifth since 2019. This accelerated pace demonstrates a clear and deliberate M&A strategy focused on geographic expansion and capability enhancement.

In September 2025, the company acquired Nashville-based Benchmark Industrial Supply, a specialist in abrasives and compounds. A year prior, in 2024, it brought Alabama Industrial Distributors into the fold, strengthening its presence in eastern Alabama and adding new service offerings. This pattern reveals a company that is methodically building a regional powerhouse, piece by piece. Turner's leadership has openly stated its aspiration to be a "destination buyer for businesses with a strong cultural fit," a strategy that appears to be paying dividends. The company's momentum was recently underscored when it was named the AD Industrial & Safety 2025 Member of the Year, an award that recognizes exceptional growth and partnership within the industry.

Blending Legacy with Modern Resources

Despite its aggressive growth, Turner Supply's leadership emphasizes that its strategy is built on a foundation of cultural alignment and continuity—a critical factor in the sensitive process of merging businesses. Chip Schramm, CEO and President of Turner Supply, highlighted this in his comments on the deal.

"We are excited to welcome Rick Klein and his team at Progressive Supply to the Turner Supply family," Schramm stated. "Their core values and culture of high touch customer service are a strong match for Turner’s. We are all eager to continue on our growth path together as we leverage our resources to deliver even more value to the metro Atlanta and north Georgia industrial and commercial markets.”

This sentiment was echoed by Rick Klein, the owner of Progressive Supply, who stressed the importance of a seamless transition for his long-standing customers and employees. "Our priority was ensuring customers could continue working with the same team they've always trusted," Klein said. "Every interaction I had with the Turner team reinforced that this was the right decision. Their commitment to continuity and to preserving what's made us successful has been clear from day one."

The plan is to combine the best of both worlds: Progressive Supply's customers will continue to work with the local experts they know, but that team will now be backed by Turner's significant resources. This includes advanced technology platforms, a vastly expanded product catalog, and sophisticated supply chain solutions, which promise to enhance service without disrupting established relationships. Klein noted this powerful combination, stating, "They're adding new capabilities and resources without changing our approach, and that is a powerful combination for our customers."

Consolidation Reshapes Industrial Distribution

Turner Supply's acquisition of Progressive Supply is not happening in a vacuum. It is a prime example of a powerful consolidation trend sweeping across the industrial distribution landscape. In a fragmented market, scale matters. Larger distributors can leverage greater purchasing power, broader inventory, more sophisticated logistics, and wider geographic reach to serve large, multi-location customers.

From national players to regional specialists, M&A has become a primary tool for growth, and the pace is quickening. Industry conferences and reports are increasingly focused on the impact of this consolidation, as smaller, independent distributors are either acquired or forced to find niche strategies to compete. This environment makes a company like Progressive Supply, with its strong local reputation and customer loyalty, an attractive target for a growth-oriented firm like Turner Supply.

By executing this acquisition, Turner not only removes a potential competitor but also integrates its strengths into its own expanding network. This move in Atlanta signals that the family-owned company is not just surviving in this era of consolidation but is actively shaping the competitive landscape of the Southeast. As the Progressive Supply team joins the Turner family, the industrial and commercial markets in Atlanta and North Georgia will be watching closely to see how this new, strengthened entity delivers on its promise of enhanced service and local commitment.