NU Online News Service, Sept. 10, 1:30 p.m. EDT

Charlotte, N.C.--based wholesale broker AmWINS Group, Inc. saidit has acquired The Managing Agency Group-Employee Benefits(MAG-EB), a division of Willis HRH. Financial terms were notreleased.

AmWINS said Shelton, Conn.-based MAG-EB is a wholesale brokerand administrator of employee benefit plans for small and mid-sizedemployer groups of 2 to 300 employees.

MAG-EB, founded in 1976, distributes, and administers a broadportfolio of group benefit products (including Dental, Vision,Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Short TermDisability Insurance, and Long Term Disability Insurance) foremployer groups and their employees.

In addition, MAG-EB serves as a brokerage general agency ofemployee benefit plans for over 30 major carriers. The firm's Website says it has eight executives plus support staff.

"This acquisition further demonstrates our commitment tostrategically diversify our business and product offerings," saidM. Steven DeCarlo, chief executive officer of AmWINS. "MAG-EB'sniche expertise and target client group complement our existingcapabilities and offer a natural synergy within our benefitsdivision."

A spokesman for AmWINS declined to give any additionalinformation about the transaction.