AIT acquires Gulf Coast Bearing

Gulf Coast Bearing serves customers in South Texas

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) has acquired the assets of Gulf Coast Bearing & Supply Co. of Corpus Christi, Texas. Gulf Coast Bearing & Supply is a full line bearing and power transmission distributor with locations in Corpus Christi and Pharr, Texas. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Founded in 1985, Gulf Coast Bearing & Supply serves a broad range of customers in South Texas, primarily in the petrochemical, food processing, construction and agriculture industries. Both existing locations will become fully functional Applied® service centers with access to more than four million parts.

"Gulf Coast Bearing & Supply is one of the leading independent bearing and power transmission distributors in its territory and will be an important addition to the North American network of Applied Industrial Technologies service centers," says Todd A. Barlett, Vice President – Acquisitions and Global Business Development for Applied. "The acquisition is a win-win for the customers of both companies as we expand our product offering and technical support into this region."

"We're proud to be part of a team that can provide world-class customer support in South Texas," says Jim Breen, President of Gulf Coast Bearing & Supply. "As part of Applied, our customers will benefit from a wider selection of products and outstanding technical service."

With approximately 470 facilities and 4,600 employee associates across North America, Applied Industrial Technologies is an industrial distributor that offers more than 4 million parts critical to the operations of MRO and OEM customers in virtually every industry. In addition, Applied provides engineering, design and systems integration for industrial and fluid power applications, as well as customized mechanical, fabricated rubber and fluid power shop services. Applied also offers maintenance training, plus solutions to meet inventory and storeroom management needs that help provide enhanced value to its customers. For its fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, Applied posted sales of $1.89 billion.