COLUMBUS, Ohio — Regional drycleaning and laundry supply distributor E.J. Thomas Co. has been sold, the company reports. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The new owners are Randy Zimmerman, who is now responsible for E.J. Thomas’ day-to-day leadership, and Matt Walter, who will provide advice, counsel and strategic direction to the company.
Zimmerman brings extensive management experience in other fulfillment/logistics-based companies to the industry, and Walter is managing partner for a private equity partnership and chairman of a specialty provider of healthcare products, the company says.
Former E.J. Thomas Co. owner John Eckhardt will remain involved with the company that serves customers throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia, and says he is especially pleased “that all of our employees will also be helping to create additional value for the company and continuing to provide exceptional service to our customers.”
Zimmerman praised Eckhardt’s leadership in transforming the company “from a local business to a leader in the Midwest region.”
“We look forward to building upon E.J. Thomas’ strong foundation, which includes a full line of products, many long-term customer relationships, and an outstanding team,” says Zimmerman.
E.J. Thomas Co. was founded in Columbus in 1936.
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