Seattle-based Pacific Plumbing Supply Co. LLC acquired Spokane-based M&L Supply Co. Inc.’s operations and two locations — one in Spokane and one in Butte, Montana — in December with plans to retain the company’s employees, according to a Pacific Plumbing Supply press release.

M&L Supply, founded in 1934 and operated as a family-owned plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and industrial supply company, employs 30 people between the company’s locations at 4114 E. Ferry in Spokane and 131 S. Wyoming Street in Butte.

"Joining forces with Pacific Plumbing Supply ensures that our customers and team members will continue to be supported by a company that shares our values and commitment to excellence," says Bill Maxwell, third-generation owner of M&L Supply, in the release.

Pacific Plumbing Supply assumed control of M&L Supply on Jan. 2, the release adds.

Maxwell will stay onboard under Pacific Plumbing Supply's new ownership along with M&L’s employees, says Dan Sherman, a partner at Pacific Plumbing Supply.

“The acquisition was beneficial for both parties,” Sherman says in an email to the Journal. “(Pacific Plumbing Supply) now has new strategic opportunities in two new territories with new customers and tenured and valued M&L employees.”

Sherman declines to disclose terms of the acquisition, which includes M&L Supply’s operations, customer base, and employees. Pacific Plumbing Supply will lease the two buildings instead of purchasing them.

M&L Supply will continue to operate independently until June 2026, when both locations will begin operating as Pacific Plumbing Supply, Sherman says.

“Changes are planned to be rolled out over several months — we don’t want to disrupt the operation as (M&L Supply) is running quite well,” Sherman adds. “Improvements overall will include access to much larger and broader inventory, improved buying power, and access to (Pacific Plumbing Supply’s) administrative operations.”

Pacific Plumbing Supply, founded in Seattle in 1949, distributes plumbing and heating products for residential and commercial projects in 23 locations in Washington, Alaska, and Montana, the press release states. The company employs 250 people and is third-generation family-owned.