ST. LOUIS -- Eagle Sales Co., a producer of castor polyols and pigment dispersions, has acquired the assets of Thomas & English Inc., a St. Louis-based distributor of chemicals and containers to the coatings and chemical markets. The acquisition includes Thomas & English's distribution operations and facilities.

Floyd Thomas III, Eagle Sales president, said the acquisition would allow the company to expand its manufacturing capabilities "while maintaining a consistent focus on raw-material and container distribution."

Eagle Sales, a sister company of Thomas & English, was launched in 1983 as a toll producer. Castor polyol production began in 1994, and pigment-dispersion operations were added in 1999.