Denver Hardwood Co. and its affiliated group of flooring distributors under the Hamar Group of companies will acquire the assets of the Midwest's largest flooring distributor, Misco Shawnee, according to a joint announcement made by the companies' CEOs this week. The two companies have been in discussion since September 2003, and entered into a confidential letter of intent in late fall.

Doug Hamar, president & CEO of Denver Hardwood Co., and Jim Gould, chairman of the board of Misco Shawnee say the imminent acquisition will create one of the ten largest flooring distribution companies in the nation and will result in a distribution network that covers two thirds of the United States from Ohio to the Pacific Coast. Denver Hardwood Co. and its affiliated group of flooring distributors under the Hamar Group of companies distribute hardwood, laminate and ceramic flooring products in the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest and Southwest. Misco Shawnee distributes primarily hardwood, laminate and vinyl in eight Mid-Western States and, through its national distribution arm, DSI, it services buying groups, home centers and flooring manufacturers across the country using its distribution centers in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles.