BRAAS Co., an Eden Prairie, Minn.-based distributor of industrial automation systems and components, acquired Control Resources Inc. Based in Salisbury, N.C., Control Resources provides expertise in automation solutions, including electrical, pneumatic automation, linear motion and process control. With a significant online presence and recognized quality, Control Resources strengthens BRAAS’ capabilities, allowing the company to enhance its product offering and customer service.

“Control Resources has a strong history of growth and expertise in the application and sales of industrial automation products,” says Matt Gallagher, BRAAS president. “BRAAS and Control Resources share a number of product lines, including our premiere line (SMC). Coupling the product overlap with our shared ESOP ownership structure and cultures, Control Resources and BRAAS are an excellent and unique fit."

Together, BRAAS and Control Resources have sales personnel covering 12 states, in addition to inventory and manufacturing capability in both the upper Midwest and Southeast U.S.

“The acquisition of Control Resources allows us to better serve our customers, as we are able to increase our scale, employ more capable systems and carry deeper inventory,” says Joe Schwartz, chief executive officer of BRAAS. “While we are deeply committed to a strong knowledgeable sales staff, we also recognize and embrace the increasing importance of an online presence. With the addition of Control Resources, we can now offer our customers several convenient online resources.”