The company said Wednesday that the newly combined company would operate as The United Distribution Group.

Both entities will continue to operate independently to serve their respective markets and customer bases, but will share administrative, strategic and management functions.

United Central chief executive Darrell Cole was recently been appointed president and CEO of The United Distribution Group. United Central’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, industry veteran of 31 years Henry Looney, has been promoted to president.

Looney will report to Cole.

Three-decade industry veteran Richard Harrison will continue as president of GHX and will report to Cole.

“I am confident that Looney and Harrison will make significant contributions to the enhancement of the United Central and GHX service models.” Cole said.

GHX founder and former executive chairman Daniel Ahuero has joined the new company as vice president of mergers and acquisitions. Fellow founder and executive vice president Benjamin Andrews will hold the seat of vice president of corporate development.

The combined organization now has a nationwide network of 65 branches and over 800 employees.

“We look forward to being part of this growing portfolio,” Ahuero said.

“The combined entity has a compelling competitive position and actionable growth opportunities through customer penetration and add-on acquisitions in this highly fragmented industry.”