Cook & Boardman Group acquires OKEE Industries to expand Northeast presence

Cook & Boardman Group LLC, a leader in specialty distribution of commercial entry solutions and systems integration services, has announced the strategic acquisition of OKEE Industries, Inc., along with Builders Hardware Incorporated, Construction Hardware, Inc., and Hardware Specialties, Inc. This acquisition marks a significant expansion of Cook & Boardman’s footprint in the Northeast, specifically targeting the markets in West Hartford, CT, East Haven, CT, Norristown, PA, and Westfield, MA.

While the financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, this move represents Cook & Boardman’s third acquisition since Platinum Equity acquired a majority stake in 2023. OKEE Industries, established in 1947, is known for its robust distribution of commercial doors, frames, and hardware across Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

David Eisner, CEO of Cook & Boardman, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition: “OKEE is a highly respected company in our industry, and we are very excited they have decided to join the Cook & Boardman family of companies. They will expand C&B’s coverage in the northeast and their team brings a wealth of experience to our continuing efforts to provide superior customer service.”

Sean O’Keefe, President of OKEE, also commented on the merger, stating, “OKEE has a long history of providing exceptional service to its customers by meeting by providing high touch communication, unprecedented service along with dedicated project management teams. We are excited to join Cook & Boardman as they transform the industry.”

Post-acquisition, the companies will continue to operate under their established names—OKEE Industries, Builders Hardware, Construction Hardware, and Hardware Specialties. Customer contacts will remain unchanged, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity in service delivery.

This acquisition is part of Cook & Boardman’s broader strategy to enhance its service offerings and extend its market reach. The company is one of the leading distributors in the U.S., providing a wide range of products and services across the non-residential and multi-family sectors, including commercial, education, government, healthcare, office, and hospitality. It operates over 70 locations across 23 states and maintains a robust ecommerce platform for nationwide distribution.

The acquisition of OKEE by Cook & Boardman underlines a strategic expansion into key northeastern markets, reflecting a strong commitment to growing its market presence and enhancing its comprehensive service offerings in the specialty distribution sector. The integration of OKEE’s extensive experience and client base is expected to bolster Cook & Boardman’s capabilities, potentially setting new standards in the industry for customer service and project management in commercial hardware distribution.