Zimmerman, who has extensive management experience in fulfilment/logistics-based companies, will be responsible for day-to-day management at E J Thomas, which serves customers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia.

Walter, who is the managing partner at the private equity firm, will advise E J Thomas on strategy. He also serves as chairman of Sarnova, a leading specialist in healthcare products.

John Eckert, E J Thomas’s former owner, said he was pleased that Randy Zimmerman would lead the next phase of the company’s development. He added that he would continue to be involved in the company and that he was especially pleased that all the employees would remain.