Grupo Corvi, S.A. de C.V., once traded on the Mexican stock exchange, had subsidiaries in chocolate candy manufacturing (Empresas Chocolates La Corona), grocery stores (Superpack and Despensa del Hogar), and grain sales (Empacamex). Unable to compete with the likes of Wal-Mart de Mexico, by 2009 Grupo Corvi sold off everything but its food and consumer products distribution company, Sahuayo Abarrotes. Sahuayo Abarrotes operates a trucking fleet from 26 distribution centers, supplying more than 3,500 products to almost 40,000 wholesalers and retailers throughout Mexico.

Celesio likes being a middleman when it comes to pharmaceuticals. The company is one of Europe's largest drug wholesalers, holding market-leading positions in several of the countries it serves. Its largest wholesale markets are France, Germany, and the UK. In addition to more than 140 wholesale distribution branches, Celesio owns retail chains consisting of 2,300 pharmacies in Europe, including Norway, Italy, and the UK. The company also offers marketing, logistics, and transportation solutions to pharmaceutical manufacturers through its manufacturer solutions division (and its Movianto and pharmexx units). German conglomerate Franz Haniel & Cie. owns a majority stake in Celesio, which was founded in 1835.

Colonial Commercial Corp., through its subsidiaries, distributes heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment, climate control products, appliances, and plumbing and electrical fixtures and supplies to building contractors and other users primarily in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, eastern Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Vermont. It also supplies indoor air components and systems, and parts and accessories; and distributes appliances, such as washers and dryers to appliance dealers. In addition, the company engages in the design and sale of energy conservation control systems; and the fabrication of customized UL listed control panels, as well as provides technical assistance and training to customers. Colonial Commercial Corp. sells its products primarily to contractors who purchase and install equipment and systems for residential, commercial, and industrial users. Colonial Commercial Corp. was founded in 1964 and is based in Hawthorne, New Jersey.

Pharmaceutical wholesaler Alfresa Holdings Corporation encompasses Alfresa Corporation, which oversees the wholesale side of the business (the group's bread and butter), and Alfresa Pharma, which takes care of manufacturing, marketing, and importing and exporting. Both deal not only in drug products, but diagnostic reagents and medical equipment, as well. Additional businesses under the aegis of Alfresa Holdings include Ando Co., Daiwa Pharmaceutical Wholesalers, Kowa Pharmaceuticals, and Qingdao Nesco Medical Co. Another example of merger and acquisition activity in the Japanese drug industry, Alfresa was created in 2003 from the combination of wholesalers Azwell and Fukujin.

GSC Enterprises, Inc.,doing business as Grocery Supply Company (not to be confused with Grocers Supply Co.), the wholesale distributor supplies more than 4,500 independent convenience stores, grocers, discounters, and other retailers and wholesalers with some 12,000 items. It distributes such goods as beverages, dry goods, and prepared foods to customers in about 15 states, mostly in the South and Southeast. In addition, GSC's Fidelity Express division supplies equipment and services that allow smaller retailers to process money orders and bill payments. Ken McKenzie, Curtis McKenzie, and Woodrow Brittain started the family-owned business in 1947.

Associated Grocers of Maine is a member-owned grocery wholesale distributor that serves about 300 independent retail grocers throughout Maine and New Hampshire, and in parts of Massachusetts. It delivers brand name and private label products, including bakery goods, deli and meat products, and a wide range of fresh produce. It also provides services such as advertising, accounting, information systems, insurance, marketing, procurement and warehousing for its customers. Associated Grocers of Maine was founded by a group of retailers in 1953.

Allion was taken private by H.I.G. Capital in early 2010. Allion Healthcare is a specialty drug distributor focusing on patients with HIV, AIDS, and other chronic conditions. Through subsidiaries MOMS Pharmacy and Biomed America, the company fills prescriptions at more than 15 distribution centers and delivers them to patients, doctors' offices, and clinics nationwide. Allion also provides ancillary drugs and nutritional supplies, and it offers consulting and drug packaging services (such as pre-filled pill boxes) to help patients stick with their medication regimens. Most of Allion's customers rely on Medicaid or state programs such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program to pay for their prescriptions.

SEC was founded in 1984 by Chairman Matth Toebben and CEO Judith Phillips. Customers include Coors and the Ohio Hospital Association. Stand Energy Corporation (SEC) took a stand in the 1980s when the US government deregulated the natural gas industry. The company markets natural gas to large commercial and industrial customers in nine states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia) and the District of Columbia. SEC also constructs bypass pipelines for its customers (allowing companies to bypass the local utility) and designs and builds propane backup systems to take advantage of reduced gas rates.

Navarre Corporation engages in the distribution and publication various computer software, home entertainment, and multimedia products in the United States and Canada. It operates in two segments, Distribution and Publishing. The Distribution segment distributes computer software, home video, video games, and accessories; and provides a range of value-added services including, vendor-managed inventory, Internet-based ordering, electronic data interchange services, fulfillment services, and retailer-oriented marketing services to the vendors and retailers. The Publishing segment owns or licenses various computer software and home video titles, and other related merchandising and broadcasting rights. This segment publishes print, personal productivity, education, family entertainment, and system utilities computer software categories; and packages, brands, markets, and sells to retailers, third party distributors, and the company’s distribution business. The company’s customers include wholesale clubs, mass merchandisers, third party distributors, computer specialty stores, book stores, office superstores, and electronic superstores. Navarre Corporation was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in New Hope, Minnesota.

Kinray, one of the US's top private wholesale drug distributors, won't be independent much longer. The company provides generic, branded, and repackaged drugs, health and beauty products, medical equipment, vitamins, and diabetes-care products to 2,000 independent pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and specialty pharmacies along the Eastern Seaboard. Kinray also offers about 800 private label products under the Preferred Plus Pharmacy brand. The firm was founded in 1944 by sole owner and CEO Stewart Rahr's father, Joseph Rahr. The younger Rahr took over in 1975 and has since turned the company into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. However, in 2010 Kinray agreed to be acquired by Cardinal Health.

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