February 29, 2024
Escalating Quickly: FRM Acquires Second Carolinas Agency
Company expands new lighting & controls business with second Carolinas agent acquisition this month
This is escalating quickly.
FRM, a leading manufacturer's representative of electrical products in the Southeast U.S., is implementing a series of rapid moves to expand its presence in the lighting sector. With the launch of FRM Lighting & Controls on February 1, the company has just further extended its portfolio by acquiring lighting agent Premier Lighting & Control in South Carolina. This acquisition, occurring just four weeks after FRM's purchase of Affiliated Lighting & Controls in the Carolinas and Florida, further bolsters FRM’s lighting team and line card.
In November 2023, FRM merged with Texas-based Bell & McCoy. Weeks ago the agency established a new partnership with Current to represent certain brands of Current in the Carolinas. Bell & McCoy has a multistate partnership with Current across much of the South Central U.S. Within a short period, FRM has secured a partnership with Current, acquired Affiliated Lighting & Controls, and now, Premier Lighting & Control.
Premier Lighting & Control is now FRM Lighting & Controls
Premier's integration into FRM will see key personnel become part of the FRM team. Keith Porter has been named General Manager and will be joined by team members Trae Melton, Hunter Woodruff, Hilda Wynn, Debbie Edwards and Sarah Rucker.
Premier's history dates back to 1992 and includes a notable longtime representation of Cooper Lighting – a relationship that ended two years ago this very week. The agency has maintained partnerships with brands such as LSI, ALUZ, Saylite and others.
“Ben Porter, Keith Porter and Trae Melton have built a formidable agency over the past 40 years. We look forward to building on that legacy and providing our manufacturers a top tier path to the South Carolina market” says Rob Duncan, Executive Vice-President of FRM Lighting & Controls.
A hint of this latest acquisition emerged over the past weekend when Trae Melton, a long-standing principal at Premier Lighting & Control, made a Saturday morning LinkedIn post that simply stated, "Grateful for a new future!" Inside Lighting sent a note asking him for more details. Despite the post's removal following our inquiry to Melton, the acquisition was confirmed days later by the unyielding Inside Lighting I-Team.
South Carolina Agency and Partnership Changes in Recent Years
South Carolina has seen many notable moves in recent years with numerous mergers, acquisitions, and major line changes. Notably, James G. Murphy Company, the Acuity Brands agent, is the only South Carolina lighting agent that hasn't made headlines in recent years.
Oct 2021
- SESCO Lighting announced a merger with The Schneider Company in South Carolina. SESCO Lighting represents Genlyte Solutions.
Feb 2022
- Ardd + Winter expanded into South Carolina by acquiring Palmetto Lighting Solutions.
- Ardd + Winter represents Cooper Lighting Solutions in South Carolina.
Feb 2024
- Current ended its partnership with Carolina Architectural Lighting & Design and formed a new partnership with FRM.
- FRM acquired Affiliated Lighting & Controls.
- FRM also acquired Premier Lighting & Control.
FRM's establishment of a dedicated lighting division and subsequent acquisitions mark a new chapter in the company's expansion strategy. These moves not only reinforce FRM's commitment to the lighting sector but may also set the stage for further growth and diversification in other markets that FRM and Bell & McCoy touch.
