Houchens Industries, Inc. Announces New Acquisition

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Houchens Industries, Inc. announced the acquisition of Michigan-based H.H. Barnum Company.

HH Barnum, a distributor of controls for factory and warehouse automation, has nearly 300 employees and more than 5,000 customers in eight states, including Kentucky and Tennessee.

The company was founded in 1946 and grew rapidly in the late 1980s when Ken and Ed Koza began running it, according to a press release.

Houchens has been 100% employee-owned for over 30 years and is now one of the largest ESOPs in the world.

“Joining such a successful and diversified ESOP company will provide tremendous long-term benefits to our employees and the growth capital needed to pursue our long-term growth goals,” CEO Ed Koza said in a press release.

After more than a century in business, Houchens now operates more than 13 businesses that generate more than $4 billion in annual revenue.

“We are delighted with the acquisition of HH Barnum. This transaction fits perfectly with our strategic plan to further develop and diversify our ESOP plan,” said Dion Houchins, CEO of Houchens.