Photo credit: Wesley Hackle, Winsupply Inc.
The Winsupply Family of Companies is expanding again with a recent acquisition in the Midwest.
Winsupply Inc. has closed on the acquisition of Central Corp., an HVAC equipment and parts wholesaler, located at 330 N. Woods Edge Drive in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Terms of the deal are not disclosed. Central Corp. will begin doing business as Winsupply of Appleton on February 16 under the leadership of Cory Pelisek. He and the team are poised to become minority owners in the entity alongside majority owner Winsupply Inc.
“This acquisition will accelerate Winsupply’s HVAC growth in the Wisconsin market,” said Jeff Dice, President, Winsupply Inc. “This will also expand and strengthen our capacity with American Standard and Trane HVAC equipment.”
Founded in 1977, Central Corp. has been family-owned from the start. Co-owners Jim Trunk and John Geurts bought it in 1993 from their father-in-law, Jerry Shortt. The company has seven employees.
Jim Trunk and John Geurts will remain at the company in Outside Sales.
“Winsupply was a good fit because both companies provide excellent service to the contractors,” Jim Trunk said.
John Geurts added: “As the company adds new product lines and grows in sales, we are excited that our employees will have opportunities to learn about the new products and have chances for advancement within the company.”
Cory Pelisek has worked in Outside Sales at nearby Janesville Winsupply Co., where he has been growing Winsupply’s presence in the Appleton and Green Bay markets.
Winsupply of Appleton will continue to operate as a provider of HVAC equipment, parts, and supplies. Pelisek says that’s just the start for Winsupply of Appleton, as he plans to eventually add plumbing, electrical, and hydronics, among others.
He joined Winsupply in late 2024 after 15 years in HVAC sales for Johnstone Supply.
“HVAC distribution is something I really enjoy. I have always wanted to get into the ownership side of it,” Pelisek said. “I’m excited to grow into the areas of plumbing, hydronics, and electrical.”
This is Winsupply’s first acquisition of the year.
“Acquisitions remain a key component of our decades-long growth strategy, which includes both strategic acquisitions as well as starting new Local Companies,” Dice said. “We continue to focus on expansion across multiple geographies, products, and end markets.”
About Winsupply:
Founded in 1956, Winsupply is a family of companies that includes more than 670 wholesalers across the United States; service companies for business support and sourcing; and Winsupply Inc.
Winsupply Inc. – in business to build entrepreneurs – owns a majority equity stake in these independent, locally owned and operated wholesalers known as Winsupply Local Companies.
Winsupply Inc.’s annual sales were $7.8 billion at the end of the fiscal year Jan. 31, 2025. The Winsupply Family of Companies employs over 9,000 employees nationwide.
Collectively, Winsupply Local Companies are among America’s leading distributors of construction materials, equipment, supplies and solutions for residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) applications.
Winsupply Local Companies serve contractors and installers across America in plumbing and heating; hydronics; pipes, valves and fittings; HVAC and refrigeration; electrical; fastening hardware; waterworks and utility; pumps; turf irrigation and landscape; and pipe, metal, specialty and fire system fabrication. Local Companies also sell direct to commercial and industrial facilities organizations.
The local owners of Winsupply Local Companies earn their own success through The Spirit of OpportunityTM: the chance to risk your own money, gain equity and run your own wholesaling company to pursue the American Dream, with help from Winsupply.
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The post Winsupply Inc. Acquires Central Corp. in Wisconsin first appeared on HVAC Insider.