Reliance Extends Reach into Tubulars Market with Merfish Acquisition

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. has agreed to purchase Merfish United, adding a master distributor of tubular building products to the service center’s already extensive portfolio of companies. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close within 60 days, were not disclosed.

Reliance will acquire Merfish from One Equity Partners, a middle market private equity firm. Headquartered in Ipswich, Mass., Merfish United serves 47 U.S. states through its 12 strategically located distribution centers. Merfish United’s broad product offering includes full lines of steel pipe, copper tubing, plastic pipe, electrical conduit and related products for the commercial, residential, municipal and industrial building markets. For the year ended June 30, Merfish United’s net sales totaled approximately $500 million.