Georges Enterprises buys Harrison Company

Posted by Shreveport Times July 3, 2008

Georges Enterprises has purchased Bossier City-based Harrison Co., a move that will add 50 to 100 local jobs and form a super-regional food distributorship.

Officials associated with the sale of the company would not disclose the amount of the deal.

"It's one of the finest companies in north Louisiana," Georges, who ran for governor in 2007, said of Harrison Co. "This company does the majority of (its) business in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Arkansas, and it has the balance in north Louisiana. It will complement the Imperial Trading Co." of New Orleans.

Harrison Co., a food distributor that earned more than $215 million in sales last year, will keep its name and identity, President Hal Martin said. "We'll change the designation from Harrison Co. to Harrison SR. It will remain a separate entity."

 As part of Georges Enterprises, which owns other types of businesses including Dolphin Marine International and Louisiana Film Studios, Harrison Co. will join New Orleans-based Imperial Trading Co., now a former competitor, to become a super-regional distributorship.

"Instead of being in five states, now we're in nine states," said Wayne Baquet, Imperial Trading president. He described the partnership as a "brother and sister" relationship with each side working together and as well as sharing marketing.

Martin added, "We each have certain strengths."

Purchasing Harrison Co. solves a problem that became apparent when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Georges said. "It gives us hurricane redundancy and our opportunity to provide uninterrupted services to our customers in north Louisiana and around the state in case of another hurricane."

It also solves another problem. "I just got tired of competing with Hal," Georges joked.

Fifty to 100 local jobs will be added to Harrison Co.'s 150, he said, adding that he expects the partnership to earn $1 billion by the end of 2010. The companies earn a combined $800,000 annually, Georges said.

David Rockett, executive director of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, said the economic impact for Bossier City would be great.

"We're bucking a national trend. People want to invest in markets that are growing and showing a good, promising future.

07/03/08
Shreveport Times