In a deal that combines two Texas-based independent manufacturers’ rep firms, Miller & Associates has acquired E-Source. The company will now go to market as E-Source Miller.

Jeff Griffiths, previously president of Miller & Associates, will hold the same role with the new company. Harry Starkweather, president of E-Source, has retired from the business.

Other members of the E-Source Miller leadership team include Donna Bishop (inside sales), Tammy Hutchinson (operations), Greg Morris (contract and design) and Jeff Swindle (chain sales). “We have an elite list of factories that have bought in with the procedures and plans we have for the business,” Griffiths says. “Being able to take the foundation E-Source has and implement Miller & Associates’ relationships, processes and procedures is a powerful combination.”

While both companies have their own offices complete with test kitchens, the intent is to bring the organizations together under one roof, which in this case will be the E-Source facility in Irving, Texas. “If we are going to be one family, we all have to be together,” Griffiths says. “I cannot wait to unleash all of these human resources we have. When you are a rep group, your people are your product. And I am excited about the human side of this – getting us all in the room together and starting to fold this together.”

This transaction will result in updating the lines the combined company will represent. At the end of the day, though, Griffiths feels all of the line shuffling will be worth it. “Marrying the other independent group of factories we represent at Miller with E-source’s line makes for a powerful proposition,” Griffith says.