In a move aimed at expanding its North American distributor network, Waterloo, Ontario-based Kraus Carpet Mills announced that it has purchased Orders Distributing Co. of Greenville, S.C. As part of the move, Orders will change its name to Kraus Orders Inc., and operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kraus Carpet Mills. The company will retain its current management team and staff, Kraus said. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

First opening its doors 51 years ago, Orders is considered one of the Southeast's oldest and largest wholesale floor covering distributors in the United States. The company serves seven stages in the Southeast region. Kraus Orders Inc. will join the Kraus Distribution Group managed by Brad Vollrath, executive vp, distribution.

According to C. Michael Smith, Kraus Orders Inc.'s president, the agreement between Orders and Kraus is "a perfect fit" for both companies.

"We are extremely excited to announce this sale and are confident this new association with Kraus Carpet Mills will provide our dealers, our company, our employees and our suppliers with opportunities for growth like never before."

Gary H. Witt, president & CEO of Kraus Carpet Mills said that the move is in keeping with Kraus' ongoing efforts to expand its distribution base.

"Kraus already operates full-line distribution coast-to-coast throughout most of the northern United States and all across Canada," he said. "The Orders transaction is our seventh acquisition of a regional distributor. Step-by-step we're building a high-service nationwide distributing network for our carpet and complementary flooring products."