It’s just business: manufacturing moves from Duravant, Nivel Parts & Manufacturing, Graco Inc. and more

For manufacturers and other businesses, acquiring other companies in similar or related fields serves two purposes. First, it buys out competitors, uniting two companies under a common purpose. Secondly, it expands what a company is capable of, unlocking synergies, with the resulting company sometimes making more effective than the sum of its parts. In this digest of recent manufacturing moves, take a look at five manufacturing mergers and acquisitions consolidating industry.

Acquisition: Graco Inc. announced November 17 that it had acquired Radia Products for $69 million. The deal unites Graco, a fluid and powder management manufacturer, with Radia’s automated coating- and paint-mixing products. According to a company release, the purchase augments Graco’s push to enter the colors and paint industry, which led it to purchase Corob’s solutions business last year.

Acquisition: Stella-Jones Inc. announced November 5 it had finished the acquisition of Brooks Manufacturing Co., a producer of wood distribution crossarms and transmission framing components. The acquisition unites Brooks’ power line and utility pole operations with Stella-Jones’ more general power infrastructure business, which produces utility poles made of steel or wood as well as steel lattice towers, railway ties and timbers and pilings for marine or foundation use. In a statement, Stella-Jones CEO Eric Vachon said the purchase “strengthens our position as a partner of choice to utilities.”

Acquisition: Nivel Parts & Manufacturing Co., a manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket parts for specialty vehicles, announced November 12 it had acquired Bolt Energy USA, which makes lithium batteries for golf carts and similar vehicles. According to Nivel CEO Donnie Jouppi, the acquisition reinforces his company’s personal transportation (PTV) business. Bobby Diaz, the founder of Bolt Energy USA, said the purchase would help the companies design “the best golf car lithium battery on the planet.”

Acquisition: PaperWorks Industries Inc., a company that manufactures recycled paperboard and packaging, announced November 12 it had acquired Color Craft Graphic Arts, another packaging manufacturer. In a company statement, PaperWorks said the acquisition adds Color Craft’s folding carton facility and 120 employees. In a company statement, PaperWorks CEO Brian Janki said the acquisition joins two companies aligned in geography, customer mix, and company culture.

Acquisition: Duravant LLC announced November 12 it had agreed to acquire Matthews Automation Solutions. The purchase combines Duravant, a company dedicated to automation products for food processing, packaging, and material handlings, with Matthews International Corp.’s division covering warehouse execution systems and warehouse control systems software products. The Matthews International group, which markets its services under the Pyramid, Compass, Nexus and Lightning Pick brands, will join Duravant’s Material Handling group. In a statement, Duravant CEO Mike Kachmer said the purchase brings “exceptional” software and controls integration expertise.