Metric Marine, a U.S. provider of precision tools and supplies for the maritime industry, has acquired First Choice Marine Supply, a provider of marine electrical solutions, also from the U.S.

Metric Marine plans to bring the two operations together over the coming months, while retaining First Choice’s brand, team and facilities and integrating their operations with Metric Marine’s.

This is expected to shorten lead times on frequently ordered items and give customers a single supplier able to handle larger and more complex requirements, according to a statement.

Thomas Campbell, CEO, Metric Marine, said: “First Choice earned its customers’ trust over many years, and protecting that trust is the first job here, not the last. This acquisition gives customers of both companies more inventory and more support while keeping the people and service they already know.”

The acquisition it also expected to result in added scale, thanks to a broader combined catalog across categories, deeper inventory on high-demand items, with shorter lead times and fewer backorders, as well as expanded technical support from a larger combined team.

“We looked for a partner who understood what we had built and would keep it intact. Metric Marine shares our standards and our approach to service. Our customers keep the relationships they count on and gain resources we could not have offered on our own,” added Lynda Ruda, president, First Choice Marine.