Looking to expand its presence in the Florida market, flooring distributor J.J. Haines & Co. has purchased distributor Wheeler Inc. of Orlando. A leading company in the area, the 32-year-old Wheeler posts annual sales of approximately $50 million and has a dedicated staff of more than 70 professionals, according to the company. Haines, founded in 1874, brings in approximately $350 million in gross shipping volume annually and has more than 400 employees.

Bruce Zwicker, president and CEO of Haines, said the two companies are a good match. “Wheeler’s customer focus and care for their people make their culture very compatible with ours,” he said. “Plus, their fast growth in an attractive market is very appealing. We are very pleased that Wheeler is joining the Haines family.”

Scott Wheeler, president of Wheeler, added, “We are excited about the opportunities and capabilities that a leading company like Haines can provide. In partnership with Haines, we can accelerate our growth in the Florida market and provide even greater service to our customers.”

Plans call for Wheeler to keep its name and operate as a division of Haines. Additionally, the company will keep its staff including Wheeler and Bonnie Davis, vp and COO of the new division, according to Haines.

Davis said the partnership will provide new opportunities for both companies. “There are many ways we can help each other,” she said. “We can teach Haines about how to grow in Florida and we can benefit from their expertise in areas such as logistics, information technology, human resources and other programs for our customers and our people.”

Wheeler operates a 120,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Orlando as well as a customer call center. The company carries a full product line including wood, vinyl and laminate flooring. Haines, which covers a wide swath of territories from Pennsylvania through South Carolina, operates six distributor centers with a total 400,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space.