February 1, 2024

FRM Makes Big Lighting Plays in Carolinas & Florida

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Flurry of moves impact Current, Lutron and many others in the Southeast U.S.

In a strategic expansion that is reshaping the landscape of the electrical and lighting industry in the Southeast U.S., FRM, a well-established electrical products manufacturers’ representative, is marking its territory in the lighting sector through significant multi-state partnerships.

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Quick Recap:

✓Electrical rep firm, FRM, establishes a new division, FRM Lighting & Controls

✓FRM Lighting & Controls acquires Affiliated Lighting and Controls of Florida

✓FRM Lighting & Controls acquires Affiliated Lighting and Controls of North & South Carolina

✓FRM Lighting & Controls strikes deal to rep Current’s HLI & GLI brands in South Carolina

These moves come on the heels of the company's November 2023 merger with Bell & McCoy Companies, a powerhouse agent with a substantial footprint in the South Central US, known for its dual prong rep strategy in electrical and lighting solutions. The collaboration between FRM and Bell & McCoy, a firm deeply intertwined with Current, was a harbinger of FRM's potential foray into lighting.

Speculations have been rife in lighting circles wondering if or when FRM would venture into the lighting domain, given Bell & McCoy's entrenched relationships with Current across several key markets, from Alabama to Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. The answer to this industry-wide conjecture has been delivered in a mere 90 days post-merger, with FRM announcing its entrance into the lighting arena through two significant acquisitions and new partnerships with Current.

FRM’s baller moves include the acquisition of two intertwined lighting agencies and the formation of strategic partnerships with certain product categories of Current in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, signaling FRM's ambitious intentions to become a formidable force in the lighting industry across these markets.

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FRM’s New Lighting Division

FRM announced the launch of a new division, FRM Lighting & Controls. This division signifies a strategic expansion, broadening FRM's portfolio beyond its traditional electrical offerings. This move is designed to provide comprehensive support for every facet of electrical, lighting, and control needs across projects.

Florida Acquisition

Jumpstarting the new lighting division in Florida, FRM has acquired Affiliated Lighting and Controls of Florida. With a team of 25 professionals, Affiliated Lighting and Controls brings extensive coverage of Florida, excluding the Florida Panhandle. This acquisition is a strategic fit, seamlessly complementing the existing presence of Bell & McCoy Lighting & Controls in the Florida Panhandle. Bell & McCoy already represents prominent brands such as Lutron in the Panhandle, setting the stage for comprehensive statewide coverage.

Affiliated Lighting and Controls of Florida boasts a strong portfolio of manufacturer partnerships, including Current GLI brands, LSI Industries, Cree Lighting and Lutron.

Related: Current GLI Brands »

Carolinas Move #1: Acquisition

Parallel to its Florida expansion, FRM has also fortified its presence in the Carolinas through the acquisition of Affiliated Lighting and Controls in North and South Carolina. This move brings onboard a team of 20 professionals from Affiliated Lighting and Controls, further enriching FRM's expertise and market reach in the region.

Some of the key manufacturer partnerships in the Carolinas mirror those in Florida, with Affiliated Lighting and Controls representing notable brands such as Current GLI, LSI Industries, and Lutron. Additionally, FRM represents Cree Lighting in South Carolina.

Mark Fink, Managing Partner at FRM, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisitions, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Affiliated Lighting & Controls into the FRM family. This strategic move aligns with our vision for the future and reinforces our commitment to delivering excellence to our customers. We will unite our combined strengths to drive innovation, provide enhanced value, and help our customers and manufacturers alike achieve sustainable growth."

Barry Enegess, President of Affiliated Lighting and Controls, echoed this sentiment, "We are excited to be teaming up with a strong name like FRM to take our business to the next level. FRM allows the Affiliated team to continue to drive growth by providing the absolute best service in the industry."

Carolinas Move #2: FRM to Represent Current in South Carolina

But wait, there’s more.

Current, based in Greenville, South Carolina, is transitioning from its longstanding HLI Brands representative, Carolina Architectural Lighting and Design (CAL+D), to a new partnership with FRM Lighting & Controls within Current's home state.
FRM is set to also represent Current GLI. Despite the Current website's indication that GLI brands are represented by SESCO's The Schneider Company, it has been approximately a year since Schneider last listed the Current GLI brands on its line card.
The new South Carolina partnership between Current and FRM is effective March 1, 2024.

“We are looking forward to partnering with FRM Lighting + Controls and are eager to collaborate closely," Current Chief Commercial Officer Chip Taylor said. “FRM’s 50 plus year history in the electrical industry combined with Current’s broad portfolio of lighting and controls solutions enable a best-in-class experience for our valued customers in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.”

Related: Current HLI Brands »

FRM Lighting & Controls | Current coverage

South Carolina: (effective March 1)

Current HLI Luminaire & Controls Brands
Current GLI Luminaire & Controls Brands
Forum Lighting

North Carolina:

Current GLI Luminaire & Controls Brands
Current GLI Roadway – Non-Metered, Municipal and DOT

Florida (Excluding Florida Panhandle):

Current GLI Luminaire & Controls Brands
Current GLI Roadway – Non-Metered, Municipal (North Florida only)

NOTE: Current HLI representatives in North Carolina (T.E.A.M. Lighting) and Florida (Florida Lighting Associates & ELA Powered by Slater Lighting) are not affected by these moves.

“With the merger of Bell & McCoy with FRM and looking at ways to expand and grow our businesses, the lighting industry creates a great opportunity,” Chris Coursey from Bell & McCoy said. “The acquisition of Affiliated Lighting + Controls positions us to begin this journey and the addition of Current Lighting helps make it all possible.”