Sold off by Grainger at the end of 2023, E&R Industrial has a new leader and is expecting aggressive growth in the years ahead.

The Michigan-based metalworking and MRO supplies distributor told MDM that it appointed industry veteran Joe Stephens as the company’s new CEO — bringing more than 30 years of experience driving growth in industrial distribution.

Stephens actually started his E&R leadership role back in September after a two-year stint leading fluid sealing master distributor APG. Before that, he was CEO of Motor City Industrial from 2017-2023 until it was acquired by AFC Industries. Stephens previously spent nearly 25 years at Fastenal through 2016, most recently as a regional vice president.

“Under Stephens’ leadership, E&R expects significant expansion of its sales team over the next year, along with two to three planned acquisitions annually and additional roll-up activity in subsequent years,” the company told MDM, emphasizing that E&R is entering a new chapter marked by independence, modernization and rapid growth.

Stephens brought with him longtime colleague Jason Brown as E&R’s new Chief Revenue Officer. He held the same role at Motor City Industrial for the past six years, and previously held district sales manager positions at Grainger and Fastenal.

Sterling Heights, MI-based E&R had long served the industry as a fastener distributor and vending services partner and was acquired by Grainger in 2013. Grainger sold the company to Los Angeles-based Paradigm Equity Partners 10 years later for an undisclosed amount. 

The company has leaned more into its metalworking expertise in recent years, and now brands itself as a nimble, tech-enabled partner for industrial customers that include Tier 1 OEMs that rely on integrated procurement systems, inventory management, vending solutions, embedded teams and special sourcing support.

Besides its headquarters in suburban Detroit, E&R also has locations in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Maryland.