A long-established Montco company is expanding its national footprint, as Hajoca has acquired American Refrigeration Supplies, writes The Philadelphia Business Journal.
Lafayette Hill’s Hajoca is one of the country’s largest privately held wholesale distributors of plumbing, HVAC, and industrial supplies. The acquisition brings ARS’ roughly 200 employees and a national distribution footprint under the Hajoca umbrella. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The previous owner, Kitchell’s CEO, Wendy Cohen said the transaction closed January 30 after years of discussion.
Company leaders cited rapid consolidation in the HVAC distribution industry as a driving force behind the sale, noting that mid-sized companies increasingly need scale and investment to remain competitive. Hajoca officials said conversations with Kitchell accelerated in mid-2025, building on a long-standing relationship between the two organizations.
The deal expands Hajoca’s reach into the Southwest, a new geographic market for its HVAC business. Hajoca will allow ARS’s existing leadership team to remain in place. The approach mirrors Hajoca’s 2023 acquisition of Gustave A. Larson Co., which strengthened its presence across the Midwest and Mountain regions.
Founded in 1858, Hajoca has grown from a small operation into a nationwide distributor operating under more than 60 trade names, a legacy which continues to evolve from its Montgomery County base.
Read more about Hajoca’s acquisition in The Philadelphia Business Journal.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO.Today in February 2026.
