Associated Supply Co., known popularly as ASCO, has acquired Houston-based heavy equipment dealer Hi-Way Equipment Co. The deal solidifies Lubbock, Texas-based ASCO as one of the largest construction equipment dealers in the United States, and brings the company eight new Case Construction Equipment locations in Texas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The new ASCO locations are in Dallas/Fort Worth, North Houston, South Houston, Tyler, Bryan, Brenham, Beaumont and Sherman, Texas. The new locations complement ASCO’s existing footprint, which stretches from Amarillo, Texas, to San Antonio. ASCO also has branches in Austin, Beaumont, Houston, Midland, Euless, Abilene, Sherman, Belton, Tyler, San Angelo, Bryan, Odessa, Perryton and Wichita Falls, Texas, and Clovis, N.M.
ASCO also handles Volvo, Bobcat, JCB, Kawasaki, Link-Belt and more, and rents, sells and services equipment.
“ASCO has made a name for itself standing by its equipment and providing some of the best support we’ve seen in the industry,” said Jim Hasler, vice president, Case Construction North America. “The entire state of Texas represents a major focus for Case in the oil and gas industry. Having a partner like ASCO expanding in these markets provides a significant advantage to customers who use Case equipment, and will also lead to further growth for Case and ASCO in the region.”
ASCO’s product offering includes the full line of Case Construction Equipment, including loader backhoes, excavators, motor graders, wheel loaders, vibratory compaction rollers, crawler dozers, skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, loader/tool carriers and rough-terrain forklifts.
ASCO was founded in 1960 by Bill Wright and is still owned by second- and third-generation Wright family members.
“We’ve always focused on recruiting the best people, selling the best equipment in the industry and, most importantly, providing the best product support available,” said CEO Brax Wright, son of the founder. “These cornerstones remain a part of who we are and are evident in the acquisition of Hi-Way Equipment. We have a vision of being a premier Case dealer in North America. This acquisition, along with the extraordinary quality of the people who joined us from Hi-Way Equipment, helps us to achieve that.”
The acquisition transitions all Hi-Way Equipment locations to the ASCO name. Three additional Hi-Way Equipment locations — Alvin, Gainesville and Longview, Texas — are under review by ASCO to determine future plans.
