Stellar Industrial Supply, a national distributor of MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) products and industrial services, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Rocky Mountain Cutting Tools (RMCT), a Frederick, Colorado-based metalworking distributor focused on advanced tooling and technical support for manufacturers.
The transaction is expected to close on June 30 and will mark Stellar’s 18th regional hub as the company continues its expansion across the U.S.
The acquisition gives Stellar a strong foothold in the Denver metropolitan area and Colorado Front Range region—an area with a growing base of manufacturers, machine shops, and aerospace contractors. It also adds deep expertise in precision cutting tools and CNC machining technologies, further strengthening Stellar’s technical capabilities in metalworking, the company said.
“Over the course of our 26-year history, Stellar has done many acquisitions,” says CEO John Wiborg. “We have an active M&A pipeline and when we find a great fit like RCMT and the principals can agree on mutually beneficial arrangements we do the acquisition.”
With headquarters in Tacoma, Washington, Stellar Industrial Supply distributes more than 90,000 MRO products from over 1,500 manufacturers. Its customers operate in aerospace, marine, metalworking, construction, food processing, and general industrial sectors. In addition to distribution, Stellar offers customized inventory management and indirect material programs designed to improve productivity and reduce total cost of ownership.
Founded in 1994, RMCT has built a reputation among regional manufacturers for its technical depth in carbide indexable cutting tools, threading and hole-making technologies, abrasives, and inventory control systems, the company notes. RMCT supplies both small independent machine shops and large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across Colorado and neighboring states, combining product availability with on-site technical support.
The acquisition also aligns with Stellar’s strategy of combining local service on a national scale. By acquiring established regional distributors with technical expertise and strong customer relationships, Stellar is building a coast-to-coast service platform capable of supporting complex industrial operations, according to the company. In recent years, Stellar has made a series of similar acquisitions to expand into new geographic markets and deepen its capabilities in high-value segments like metalworking.
RMCT will be integrated into Stellar’s broader operations, including access to its supply chain infrastructure, proprietary systems, and the company’s Documented Cost Savings (DCS) program. That initiative, launched in 2010, has delivered more than $213 million in verified savings to customers through product substitutions, process improvements, and inventory efficiencies. In 2024 alone, Stellar reported $18 million in savings for customers participating in the program.
While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, both companies emphasized continuity of service and alignment in values. RMCT’s existing team will remain in place, and the combined operation is expected to enhance support for manufacturing customers across Colorado and the surrounding region.
Stellar is a member of Affiliated Distributors and the Industrial Supply Association and continues to be active in national efforts to modernize and digitize MRO procurement and support services. The RMCT acquisition is part of Stellar’s broader plan to grow its national presence while preserving the responsiveness and local knowledge that regional industrial customers expect.
With this move, Stellar reinforces its commitment to metalworking customers and positions itself to support ongoing growth in the manufacturing sector along the Front Range and throughout the western U.S., according to the company.
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