Republic Companies, T.F. Ehrhart announce merger 

Two leading Midwest distributors, Republic Companies and T.F. Ehrhart, have agreed to a strategic merger that, company leaders say, will strengthen their market positions in the HVAC and electrical supply industry.  The merger, announced in a recent news release by the Davenport-based Republic, will enhance the service offerings the companies provide for contractors, technicians and […]

Two leading Midwest distributors, Republic Companies and T.F. Ehrhart, have agreed to a strategic merger that, company leaders say, will strengthen their market positions in the HVAC and electrical supply industry.  The merger, announced in a recent news release by the Davenport-based Republic, will enhance the service offerings the companies provide for contractors, technicians and trade professionals across the Midwest.  The merger unites Republic Companies – with its 108 years of experience in HVAC and electrical distribution – and T.F. Ehrhart, based in Quincy, Illinois.  That family-owned business has a 73-year legacy of supplying the needs of premier heating and air conditioning contractors in Central Illinois. Its footprint has expanded to serve customers in Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas. “This merger represents a natural fit for both companies,” Republic’s CEO Todd Wade said in the release. “By combining our resources, product lines, and industry expertise, we are better positioned to provide our customers with expanded product availability, deeper technical support, and enhanced logistics capabilities.” 

No details about the financial transaction or the ownership group were disclosed. The merger closed on Friday, Feb. 7.   In an emailed response to the QCBJ on Monday, March 3, Andy Armstrong, Republic’s senior vice president of business development, said “We are proud that we could retain local ownership and local management with both organizations.”   

Company employs 158

Collectively, the company now will employ a total of 158: 97 employees at Republic and 59 at Ehrhart.   Asked about any possible rebranding, Mr. Armstrong said “We don’t have any plans to change names at this point as T.F. is a strong brand in their locations.” Republic is headquartered at 737 Charlotte St. on the edge of downtown Davenport. The urban campus and its multiple warehouses sprawl across five acres of property. It also has locations in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Des Moines, Iowa, as well as in Peoria, Illinois, and now Madison, Wisconsin. Republic Companies, which began as the Delco Light Plant Distributorship was founded more than a century ago by J.S. Kimmel. Since its humble beginnings in 1916, Republic has grown into one of the largest independent wholesale distributors of electrical, energy management, heating, air conditioning, hydronics, and sign support systems.  It serves the industrial, institutional, governmental and contracting markets in central and eastern Iowa, western Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. Its leading HVAC brands are Luxaire, Bosch and Samsung. 

Family-owned company

T.F. Ehrhart, a longtime family-owned company, was founded by its namesake Theodore F. Ehrhart who transitioned from working for a stove company to open T.F. Ehrhart Company. Today, his grandson, Jim Schlepphorst, is the company’s president and will retain that position with the merger.  In addition to its Quincy headquarters, T.F. Ehrhart also has operations in Peoria and in Osage Beach and Springfield, Missouri. T.F. Ehrhart is a dealer for top brands such as Luxaire, Guardian, Samsung, and Bosch.  In the release, Mr. Schelpphorst said T.F. Ehrhart also is excited to join forces with Republic. “Both organizations share a commitment to excellence, customer service, and innovation. This partnership will provide our customers with even greater access to leading HVAC and electrical solutions.” The merger is the latest advancement in Republic’s broader Midwest expansion. In the summer of 2023, Republic opened a new state-of-the-art distribution and training center in Des Moines as part of a larger, more ambitious strategy. Earlier this year, Republic opened a new facility on a greenfields location in Madison, Wisconsin. The expansion, Mr. Armstrong said, centered around its partnership with Johnson Controls and distribution rights to the Luxaire brand for all of Wisconsin.  According to the release, the companies said their integration will proceed seamlessly “ensuring that customers continue to receive the high level of service and support they come to expect.”