Meritus Gas Partners ("Meritus") announced that it has acquired Metroplex Welding Supply ("Metroplex"), a leading independent distributor of industrial gases and welding supplies headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Founded in 1975 by Mike Bush Sr., Metroplex has grown into a trusted regional supplier with five locations serving customers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Today, the company is led by Mike Bush Jr., Tom Bush, and General Manager Jack Robbins.

"Metroplex is an outstanding fit for Meritus, and we are excited to welcome the Metroplex team to the Meritus family," said Rob D'Alessandro, President & COO of Meritus. "The Dallas-Fort Worth market is one of the top industrial markets in the United States, and Metroplex further strengthens our presence in a region that aligns perfectly with our long-term growth strategy."

"As we considered the future of our business, Meritus stood out as the right partner," said Mike Bush, President of Metroplex. "They share our commitment to customers, employees, and local decision-making, and we believe this partnership creates outstanding opportunities for our team while preserving the legacy we have built over the past 50 years."

The acquisition further advances Meritus' strategy of partnering with leading independent distributors while preserving their local brands, leadership teams, and customer-focused cultures. Metroplex will continue operating under its established name while benefiting from the resources and support of the Meritus platform.

"This is another outstanding addition for Meritus, and we are honored that the Metroplex ownership team selected us as their successor," said Steve Byers, Meritus' Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions. "Metroplex has built an exceptional reputation over the last five decades, and we're excited to build on that foundation. This acquisition continues the strong momentum we're seeing as we expand our national network of best-in-class independent distributors."

Founded in December 2020, Meritus is a portfolio company of AEA Enterprise. Meritus is assembling a national network of high-quality independent distributors of industrial, medical, and specialty gases and welding and safety supplies, located in diverse geographies and serving growing end-markets. Meritus partners with exceptional businesses and management teams, allows them to remain independent and entrepreneurial, and supports them to accelerate growth, improve business quality, and enhance value.

AEA Investors is a leading global alternative investment firm that has partnered with middle-market businesses for over 55 years. Since its founding in 1968, the firm has grown to manage approximately $19 billion in assets across private equity and private credit strategies.