Harry Cooper Supply acquires KC-area company

The Harry Cooper Supply Co., a more than century-old distributor of electrical, plumbing and HVAC supplies based in Springfield, has expanded with an acquisition.

Harry Cooper Supply CEO Bill Lingenfelser said the company closed Feb. 1 on the purchase of Lenexa, Kansas-based Interstate Electrical Supply. He declined to disclose the purchase price for the deal, which was facilitated by the Kingsley Group business brokerage company in Springfield.

Chris and Sean Self, sons of Interstate Electrical founders Gary and Jan Self, have stayed on board to lead the five-employee operation in Lenexa, Lingenfelser said. Interstate Electrical, which has maintained its name as a subsidiary of Harry Cooper Supply, kept its five employees with the acquisition, he said, adding that hiring plans are in the works for additional people.

"When we learned that Gary and Jan wanted to retire, it seemed like a gem of a company," Lingenfelser said. "It was a good opportunity for us to grow into a new market."

In business for four decades, Interstate Electrical operates as a distributor of electrical parts. Lingenfelser said the goal is to add plumbing and HVAC to its supply at a future date.

Harry Cooper Supply was founded in 1908. Interstate Electrical is now one of its two sister businesses along with Joplin Supply Co.