November 1, 2024
Bolstering ‘Bama: Bell & McCoy Acquires Lighting Partnership
Acquisition enhances multi-state Current partnership while strengthening Alabama presence
Bell & McCoy Companies has acquired Lighting Partnership of Alabama, a lighting agency with over 60 years of experience in the market. Established in 1960 in Birmingham, Lighting Partnership has maintained a specification-focused approach and a long-standing relationship with Current’s HLI Brands (formerly Hubbell Lighting and Lighting Corporation of America).
Originally founded as Broughton & Associates, Lighting Partnership has eight employees in Birmingham and Montgomery. As part of the acquisition, Denty Vaughn, Kelly Cole and their team will join Bell & McCoy's Birmingham operations, bringing manufacturer and customer relationships to enhance the Bell & McCoy Alabama team.
Expanding Multi-State Current Partnership
Already well-established in Alabama, Bell & McCoy’s acquisition of Lighting Partnership further strengthens their relationship with Current's HLI and GLI brands, continuing a trend that consolidates Bell & McCoy’s influence across many Southern U.S. markets. Last year, Bell & McCoy also merged with FRM, a move that led to more multi-state partnerships with Current. While the Bell & McCoy network grows, certain markets—such as North Carolina and Georgia—still retain legacy agents aligned with Current’s HLI brands.
The purchase of Lighting Partnership also strategically positions Bell & McCoy to diversify its offerings in Alabama, adding to its acquisition of another Birmingham-based agent, J.S. Cotney, Inc., exactly one year prior. With this expanded presence, Bell & McCoy aims to consolidate and expand its service offerings across the Yellowhammer state.
Integration and Brand Synergies
Lighting Partnership brings a shorter-than-usual line card that, beyond Current HLI, includes around 50 other lighting brands, such as Elite Lighting, Zumtobel, and Kirlin Lighting.
Bell & McCoy’s established Alabama partnership with Lutron, the worldwide leader in lighting controls, may influence the integration of Lighting Partnership’s controls offerings. With NX Lighting Controls included in Current HLI Brands, there is a potential conflict with other brands like Leviton and Lehigh also on Lighting Partnership’s line card. As Bell & McCoy solidifies its portfolio, it raises the question: will Leviton and Lehigh seek new agents to represent them in the Alabama territory?
In an official statement, Rob Duncan, Executive Vice President of Bell & McCoy, commented, “Lighting Partnership is an ideal complement to our Alabama Lighting and Controls business. Denty and Kelly have built a specification-driven agency with an emphasis on servicing the engineering community. Our goal is to represent best-in-class manufacturers, and the Lighting Partnership line card aligns perfectly with our objectives. We are excited to expand our Current HLI representation.”
This acquisition reflects Bell & McCoy's and FRM's ongoing geographic expansion and bolstered partnership with Current, strengthening its substantial footprint from the Carolinas through Florida and across to Arizona.
