Wesco Group has agreed to acquire National Coatings & Supplies (NCS), a deal that combines two of the largest distributors of automotive refinish coatings and paint, body, and equipment (PBE) supplies in North America.
The acquisition, announced Nov. 24, will bring together Wesco’s more than 220 locations across its brands — including Wesco, Color Compass, Kemperle, and English Color — with NCS’s network of 200-plus stores in 43 states. Terms were not disclosed. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval, and the companies will continue operating independently until the deal closes.
For collision repair shops, the combination creates expanded access to refinish products and technical support. NCS distributes products from major coating manufacturers, including Axalta, AkzoNobel, BASF, and PPG, serving more than 15,000 collision centers and body shops across the country.
Lynnwood, WA-based Wesco was founded in 1962 and was acquired by BDT & MSD Partners in September 2024. Raleigh, NC-based NCS is both family- and employee-owned and employs more than 1,200 people.
Company executives said the acquisition would strengthen services for collision repair customers.
“Bringing our organizations together strengthens our shared mission: to be the industry’s most trusted and full-service provider of specialty coatings, equipment, and related supplies,” said Lloyd White, CEO and cofounder of Wesco, in a press release.
Josh Cox, president of Wesco, said shops would benefit from the combination. “Customers will benefit from expanded product access, deeper technical resources, and a larger team committed to helping shops improve performance and succeed,” he said.
John Leavy, president and CEO of NCS, called the deal “a transformative opportunity” that would deliver increased value to customers and growth potential for the vendors the companies represent.
The acquisition continues a trend of consolidation in the PBE distribution space. Wesco has made multiple acquisitions in recent years, including 360 Paint Supply in November 2024 and DealerShop’s paint distribution division in September 2025.
