In a deal that became official earlier this month, Top 40 distributor American Solutions for Business (ASB, asi/120075) has acquired Nashville, TN-based distributor Branding U (asi/145106). Financial terms of the transaction were not released.

“This acquisition will be a growth-driver for both entities,” said Justin Zavadil, executive vice president of ASB. “ASB will provide many of the back office sales tools that BU needs to bring their business to the next level. Branding U will bring a wealth of sourcing experience to the table to be incorporated into ASB’s tool chest, benefiting ASB’s nationwide network of sales professionals.”

Branding U, which is primarily a promotional products company, has been in business for nearly eight years and was ranked by Counselor this year as the eighth-fastest-growing distributor in the industry, with two-year sales growth of 84%. Russ Moore, president and CEO of Branding U, will now join ASB as director of strategic growth with responsibilities focused on a variety of initiatives with the company’s sales resource group.

ASB, headquartered in Glenwood, MN, ranks number 14 on the Counselor Top 40, after reporting 2013 North American ad specialty revenues of $103.5 million, an increase of 4% from 2012.