About Us
Where Legacy Meets Growth
At Hills Distribution, we believe that great distribution businesses are built by people who care deeply—about customers, employees, and the communities they serve. That's why we've created a platform that honors what founders have built, while unlocking new opportunities to grow, invest, and lead together.
Our Story
Hills Distribution began with a simple idea: combine the strength of local, independently-run distributors with the support and scale of a world-class platform.
In 2023, Grove Mountain Partners—a private equity firm with deep expertise in home services and specialty distribution—acquired a majority stake in Plimpton & Hills, a fourth-generation family-owned business and one of the most respected names in HVAC and plumbing distribution in the Northeast.
From this founding partnership, Hills Distribution was born. Backed by Grove Mountain, the Hills platform is growing to include a network of high-integrity, customer-focused wholesale distributors across the Northeastern United States. Today, we operate 30 branches across five states through three great companies: Plimpton & Hills, Coastal Supply Group, and RJ Murray.
And we're just getting started.
Our Philosophy
Built to Support Founders. Structured for Growth.
Companies retains its brand, people, and way of doing business. Our role is to provide the tools, capital, and support to help them go even further.
Whether it's upgrading your fleet, investing in new warehouse systems, or building stronger vendor relationships, Hills Distribution is built to help your business grow—on your terms.
We partner with companies that share our core commitments:
Exceptional Customer Service
A Deep Respect for Employees
A culture of honesty and integrity
Meet Our Experienced Team
Committed to Growth and Integrity in Distribution
Our team is composed of seasoned professionals with extensive experience across private equity, operations, and various industries, including logistics and services. Each member brings a unique background and commitment to fostering growth and integrity within the distribution sector, ensuring that we support our partners effectively.
Ron LaBusch
Chief Executive Officer
Richard Oaks
Chief Operating Officer
Paul Otterstrom, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Backed by Experience That Understands You
Our partners at Grove Mountain Partners aren't just investors—they're operators who've walked in your shoes. They've built platforms in HVAC, plumbing, and other trades by focusing on partnership. Together, we're building Hills Distribution with the same mindset.
Uniting Distributors for a Collaborative Future
Our goal is to unite 7-8 like-minded distributors across the Northeastern U.S.—each operating independently, but connected by a shared vision of long-term success.
We're not here to rewrite your story. We're here to help you build the next chapter.