Pearlman Goes to Harbour

ST. LOUIS – Harbour Group acquired Pearlman Corp., the parent company of Pearl Abrasive Co. and Keystone Tools, in early November. Terms of the deal weren’t announced.
Commerce, Calif.-based Pearlman offers a broad line of diamond tools, abrasives, chemicals, power tools and related products for stone fabricators, tile installers and construction contractors in both the residential and commercial construction markets. Pearlman sells its products through a network of independent distributors as well as through its own proprietary and branded distribution channel, Keystone Tools.
Harbour Group is a private St. Louis-based company engaged in the manufacture and distribution of a wide variety of consumer and industrial products, including entertainment products, automotive enthusiast products, lubricating systems and equipment, auxiliary plastic processing equipment, and heat exchange equipment.
“Pearlman is a really great business in a sector we understand well,” says Sam Fox, Harbour’s chairman/CEO. “The Pearl Abrasive brand is synonymous with quality, service and innovation, and as a result, Pearlman enjoys leading market shares in its served markets and a devoted and diverse customer base.
“We believe there are opportunities for further penetration of its existing markets, entry into new markets and geographies, and continued development and introduction of new products. In addition, Pearlman’s markets are both large and highly fragmented, and we will aggressively pursue complementary acquisitions.”
“Our team has done an excellent job positioning both the Pearl Abrasive and Keystone businesses as leaders in the abrasives and diamond cutting tools market,” says Pearlman President Zack Pearlman. “Harbour Group has a keen understanding of our industry and we’re fortunate to have them as a partner. Their long history of successfully growing companies like Pearlman will be a huge asset to us as we pursue our strategy.”
Fox also emphasizes that Harbour Group’s acquisition will allow the company to continue to pursue its growth strategy. The new owners will keep Pearlman’s management team.