Relation Insurance Servies has acquired the assets of Joseph M. Wiedemann & Sons Inc. (JMWS), a fourth-generation family-owned firm based in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed.
Established in 1930, JMWS provides a mix of commercial and personal lines with an emphasis on property and casualty and employee benefits. Its offices will continue to be led by partners John Wiedemann and Ned Cooke.
Wiedemann said the transaction with Relation provided access to expanded resources and expertise while retaining the firm's longstanding relationship-focused approach.
"In addition to the breadth of resources and in-house expertise that is now available to our team and customers, we’re excited to find a home at a place where our values align," he said. Meanwhile, Relation CEO Tim Hall highlighted JMWS' reputation for nearly a century of service in the Chicago area.
Separately, Relation recently acquired the assets of Bridlewood Insurance Services, a San Diego-based agency specializing in Medicare-related products. Bridlewood provides a range of offerings including Medicare A and B, Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare prescription drug (Part D) and Medicare supplemental plans.
The company said the acquisitions align with its wider strategy of acquiring independent agencies to diversify capabilities and expand geographically. It has steadily increased its presence across the US in recent years, part of a broader consolidation wave in the insurance distribution sector.
Industry analysts noted that mid-sized and regional firms have increasingly become acquisition targets for larger national platforms, which are seeking scale, technology investment, and broader carrier access. For independent agencies, joining larger groups offers capital support and expanded product capabilities while helping them remain competitive against global brokers and digital-first entrants.
By adding both JMWS and Bridlewood, Relation expects to strengthen its reach across the commercial and employee benefits markets in the Midwest, as well as the senior healthcare market in Southern California.
