Artisan Design Group

In 2016, a new entity called Artisan Design Group (ADG) was formed through the merger of two established flooring companies, Floors Inc. and Malibu. This wasn't a typical startup story, but the beginning of a strategic roll-up. Under the leadership of Co-CEOs Larry Barr and Wayne Joseph, the company embarked on a focused mission: to acquire leading regional flooring and interior finish specialists across the United States. The business model was straightforward. ADG provides design, procurement, and installation services for interior finishes like flooring, cabinets, and countertops, primarily serving homebuilders and multi-family property developers. Instead of building from the ground up in every new market, ADG grew by acquiring established local players, eventually bringing over 20 companies into its fold. A significant chapter in the company's journey began in 2018 when it was acquired by the private equity firm The Sterling Group. This partnership accelerated ADG's acquisition strategy, allowing it to complete 15 acquisitions under Sterling's ownership. By early 2025, the Dallas-based company had expanded its operations to 132 facilities across 18 states. The playbook culminated in a major liquidity event: in April 2025, Lowe's announced it would acquire Artisan Design Group for approximately $1.33 billion, a deal that was finalized in June 2025.