Waupaca Foundry purchased by private equity group
Monomoy Capital Partners of Greenwich, Connecticut will acquire Waupaca Foundry, Inc. from Proterial, Ltc. early this year, subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. North America’s leading supplier of cast and machined iron castings with operations dating back to 1871, Waupaca Foundry employs more than 4,000 at five iron foundries, including locations in Waupaca and Marinette as well as Ironwood, Michigan and Tell City, Indiana. The company has been owned by Proterial since 2014.
“Waupaca Foundry is excited to start a new chapter with Monomoy, an experienced, operationally- focused investment group, to continue to invest and grow our commitment to our customers, suppliers, and employees,” said Michael Nikolai, who will continue to serve as president, CEO and COO and lead the existing management team under the new ownership structure. “The Waupaca leadership team looks forward to a bright future and the opportunities that can stem from this partnership.”
Alliance Laundry Systems acquires Kentucky firm
Ripon-based Alliance Laundry Systems and Kentucky-based REM Company, Inc. have entered into an exclusive agreement, subject to due diligence, in which Alliance will acquire the distribution assets of REM with a target closing of Feb. 1. Upon closing, REM will become part of the Alliance Laundry Systems Distribution South Region, maintaining its Versailles, Kentucky office. Bob and Carol Moore founded the company in their Lexington apartment and have built the business into a laundry leader covering Kentucky and Tennessee and serving customers in a variety of markets.
“From the very beginnings of the company, the Moore family made customer service the number one priority,” said Craig Dakauskas, senior vice president, Americas Commercial, Alliance Laundry Systems. “That commitment remains just as strong today and is a driving factor in our desire to bring them into our direct distribution family.”
Kohler acquires European manufacturer
Kohler Co. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire KLAFS, a manufacturer of saunas, steam rooms and other hydrothermal features, from the Egeria Group. The agreement was signed Dec. 1 and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024. Details of the transaction are not being disclosed.
KLAFS CEO Phillip Rock and CFO Jens Friedrich will continue in their leadership roles, and the company will join Kohler’s Luxury Brands division. Headquartered in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, KLAFS sells its products through a direct-to-consumer showroom network that primarily spans across Europe to both residential and commercial clients.
“As a privately held, global company celebrating our 150th anniversary, Kohler has always embraced a relentless pursuit of providing exceptional products, services and experiences for our customers,” said David Kohler, chair and CEO of Kohler Co. “KLAFS is an international market leader with a stellar reputation that shares our passion for innovation and delighting customers.”
Mercury Marine invests in solar energy
Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, has announced its investment in the 5-megawatt Ledgeview Solar Project with Alliant Energy. The 32-acre project in eastern Fond du Lac County will further Mercury Marine’s sustainability initiatives and the region’s growing commitment to renewable energy. It’s the first project to receive approval under the Alliant Energy Renewable Energy Partner tariff. The project is expected to be operational next spring.
“We’re excited to have received regulatory approval for this project and advance our commitment to a more sustainable future,” said John Buelow, Mercury Marine president. “Our investment in this solar infrastructure, combined with our other solar investments, will provide clean, renewable energy and propel us toward our goal to derive 50% of our electricity usage from renewable sources by the end of 2030.”
Oshkosh Defense awarded $342M contract for equipment trailers
Oshkosh Defense has been awarded a $342 million production contract for Medium Equipment Trailers (MET) by the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal. The five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract includes the option for two additional years and calls for Oshkosh to produce an estimated 557 trailers. The MET is a six-axle trailer designed to be pulled by the Oshkosh Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter M1300 Tractor, with the ability to obtain European road permissions at required payloads and negotiate highway overpasses. In September 2022, the U.S. Army also selected Oshkosh to produce the Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter System.
“We appreciate the U.S. Army’s continued confidence in our logistics solutions that play a pivotal role in the swift global deployment of mission-critical equipment,” said Pat Williams, chief programs officer for Oshkosh Defense. “These trailers, paired with the Oshkosh EHET, are vital to surviving the rigors of modern combat and addressing the challenges of contested logistics.”
Sheboygan-based company expanding in Saukville
American Orthodontics Corporation has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art facility in the Northern Gateway Community Collective in Saukville, buoyed by $1.1 million in state income tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. American Orthodontics is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of orthodontics treatment supplies, and its new facility is expected to open in mid-2024. Over the next four years, the company is expected to create at least 180 new jobs.
“American Orthodontics is a Wisconsin success story, and we’re grateful the company has recognized the incredible skill of our workforce and decided to expand here as part of the Northern Gateway Community Collective,” Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes said. “This development pairs the employment opportunities at American Orthodontics with housing, elder care, child care and even doggie daycare to create a community.”
Johnsonville acquires Salm Partners
Sheboygan County-based Johnsonville announced Jan. 3 that it has acquired Salm Partners, the largest manufacturer of fully-cooked sausages and hot dogs in the United States. As part of the deal, Johnsonville will take over Salm’s two production plants in Denmark, Wisconsin and shutter Johnsonville’s Meadowside facility in Sheboygan County later this year. The company said all 390 of the workers at its Meadowside plant will have jobs through the end of June.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Salm Partners has been a co-packer for Johnsonville for several years, according to a press release. Following the acquisition, Salm Partners will remain its own entity. The company was previously owned by Chicago-based Entrepreneurial Equity Partners, which purchased a stake in the business in 2020. Salm Partners was founded in 2004 by four brothers and expanded to a second plant in 2019. It has benefited from tax credits provided by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
Insight to name Wisconsin’s Best Places To Work In Manufacturing
Applications are open for Insight Publications’ inaugural Best Places to Work in Manufacturing recognition, which will be featured in the pages of IOM as well as showcased at a special event July 17 at Lambeau Field.
Insight has partnered with Workforce Research Group to conduct a comprehensive statewide survey. After signing up, companies will be contacted to begin the process. Results will be available in April. All data will be kept confidential, and only companies selected for recognition will have their names and stories shared publicly. The option to purchase complete survey data will be available to participants, but there is no cost to participate in the program. For more information and to sign up, visit insightonbusiness.com/bptw.
Fastest growing companies to be unveiled Feb. 29
Insight Publications will count down the top 25 fastest growing companies in the New North region at a special event Feb. 29 and within the March pages of Insight on Business magazine. Among the honorees this year are several New North region manufacturers. Although the recognized companies have been named and invited to attend the event, their exact ranking for growth will not be revealed until the breakfast celebration at Lambeau Field. Tickets for this first-ever Insight event are available now at insightonbusiness.com/fastest.
Manufacturing Matters! is April 10-11
WMEP Manufacturing Solutions’ 26th annual Manufacturing Matters! conference will be held April 10-11 at the Brookfield Conference Center. This year’s conference theme is “Navigating the Unknown,” and more information, including sponsorship opportunities and registration links, can be found at wmep.org.
