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Bradco Supply continues serving Wickes customers under the same familiar banner
Wickes, the bankrupt Midwest pro dealer, may have sold the last of its locations in July, but the Wickes name and tradition are beginning a new lifecycle through Bradco Supply. Last month, the pro dealer acquired 20 Wickes locations, primarily in the Northeast, for $65 million. Bradco was one of four pro dealers to snap up locations from Vernon Hills, 111.-based Wickes, which liquidated its 59 remaining yards while under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
"We feel the acquisition and integration of Wickes is a tremendous opportunity and challenge for both Bradco and the people from Wickes," said Barry Segal, owner and CEO of Bradco Supply.
While Wickes, the company, is still sorting out matters in bankruptcy court and attempting to pay off lenders, creditors and shareholders, the Wickes brand had essentially been tossed out when the last units were sold off. When Bradco learned of this, it had the Wickes named included in its purchase agreement.
Under Bradco ownership, the Wickes yards will receive new dual-branded signage. Some of the Wickes truck fleet will also be upgraded, and the existing Wickes Web site will be upgraded.
"We realized that nobody wanted the name," Segal...