December 5, 2024
FRM Expands in Carolina with TEAM Lighting Acquisitions
FRM gains Current in Charlotte and Durham via TEAM — what’s next for TEAM’s other two offices?
Southeast U.S. lighting agency, FRM Lighting & Controls, has expanded its North Carolina capabilities with the acquisition of two TEAM Lighting offices in Charlotte and Durham, bolstering its presence in a growing market. This move is part of FRM's strategic growth in the southeastern U.S. and aligns with its broader goal of strengthening its presence in the lighting and electrical industry.
Above: Territories of four independent TEAM Lighting operations. Map image couresy of TEAM Lighting.
The acquisition brings TEAM Lighting’s Charlotte and Durham offices under FRM's umbrella, along with their respective teams, including Rudy Barber, Rob Taylor and David Locke. TEAM has long served as the Current agent in North Carolina, alongside a wide array of other lighting and controls lines. These additions are expected to enhance FRM's service capabilities in North Carolina, which have been a bit hindered since its February inception without a major lighting partner like Current.
Rob Duncan, Executive Vice President of FRM/Bell & McCoy, highlighted the strategic fit of TEAM’s line cards, saying, “TEAM is an ideal complement to our FRM Lighting & Controls business. The North Carolina trading markets are each unique, and TEAM’s ownership has built market-leading agencies that play to the strengths of each territory. At FRM, our goal is to represent best-in-class manufacturers, and the TEAM Lighting line cards are perfectly aligned with that objective.”
Analysis: Strategic Moves Strengthen FRM’s Foothold
This acquisition represents FRM’s third and fourth major purchases in the Carolinas this year, following a significant launch of the company’s lighting division earlier in 2024. The company established FRM Lighting & Controls in February and subsequently acquired Affiliated Lighting and Controls, integrating a team of 20 professionals. A month later, the company further expanded with the acquisition of Premier Lighting & Control in South Carolina.
Kenny Barnes, the Charlotte-based General Manager of FRM Lighting & Controls for the Carolinas, may find his current opportunities in the Carolina lighting markets far brighter than his stint as a Season 1 contestant on the Netflix reality series Love Is Blind many years ago.
Barnes’ professional focus since joining FRM earlier this year has been in building out FRM's presence, including partnerships with top manufacturers such as Lutron and Current. Barnes previously worked for a Charlotte agency that was once part of the TEAM affiliation – so his new teammates in Durham are likely familiar faces.
Despite these advancements, questions remain regarding TEAM Lighting’s two remaining offices in Greensboro and Greenville, North Carolina, which have not (yet?) joined FRM. Historically, all four offices have collaborated to present a unified presence in the state. Rob Duncan addressed the possibility of further acquisitions, stating, “We are talking to those offices and are optimistic on the outcome. They are quality organizations we would welcome to the FRM family.”
Expanded Line Cards and Market Integration
The addition of TEAM’s Charlotte and Durham offices enhances FRM's line card in North Carolina, particularly by incorporating manufacturers already represented by TEAM, including Current HLI. This aligns with the Bell & McCoy/FRM strategy to unify many of its main offerings across its southern footprint, which now spans from the Carolinas to Arizona.
The acquisitions come as FRM continues to integrate with Bell & McCoy following their merger in October 2023. This partnership has positioned Bell & McCoy/FRM as a leading player in the southern U.S., with over 600 employees serving numerous states and Puerto Rico.
With this acquisition, FRM strengthens its position in the lighting and electrical sectors in the Carolinas. As the company continues to grow its portfolio and regional influence, further developments — including potential integrations with TEAM’s Greensboro and Greenville offices — could enhance its footprint even further.
