BLOOMFIELD, CT -- Kaman Corp. announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Zeller Corp. by its subsidiary Kaman Industrial Technologies Corp. (KIT). The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Zeller Corp. is a value-added distributor of electrical and automation components and solutions, including motion control, programmable logic controller (PLC)–based automation, machine vision, electrical controls, and power distribution products. A premier Schneider Electric distribution partner, Zeller also represents other quality manufacturers including Kollmorgen, Phoenix Contact, Rittal, and Sick. Zeller employs 240 people, including 60 degreed engineers, and has operations in Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo, NY; Foxboro, MA; and Winston-Salem, NC. Zeller expects full year 2012 sales of approximately $80 million.
Neal J. Keating, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kaman Corp., stated, "The acquisition of Zeller Corporation is a very exciting addition for Kaman and our KIT distribution business. It extends and expands our automation and motion control product segment to include electrical controls and power distribution. Further, it demonstrates our commitment to growing our distribution network, enhancing our value-add solutions capabilities, and complementing our strong mechanical and fluid power product platforms. We are also excited to welcome the strong management team and workforce at Zeller, led by Gary Haseley to the Kaman family. The Zeller team will enhance our ability to serve our customers and will bring a number of new tools and capabilities to the Kaman organization."
Gary Haseley, President, Zeller Cor. remarked, "We are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to become part of the Kaman distribution and solutions team. We believe Zeller's deep engineering expertise coupled with Kaman's broad national reach will combine to create an outstanding solution for our customers, while driving growth opportunities for our suppliers and employees. With more than 50 years of experience providing superior electrical products and engineered solutions to our customers, we will now also have the ability to satisfy their mechanical power transmission requirements."
Steve Smidler, President of KIT added, "We are also very pleased to have Gary Haseley staying with Kaman and joining our KIT executive management team as Zeller's Vice President and General Manager, reporting to me. Zeller complements and strengthens our recent acquisitions of Minarik, Target Electronic Supply, and Automation Technology and is illustrative of our overall expansion strategy to further increase our electrical, automation, and motion control footprint."
About Kaman
Kaman Corp., founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, conducts business in the industrial distribution and aerospace markets. The company is a leading distributor of industrial parts and operates more than 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers across North America. Kaman offers more than 4 million items including bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical, material handling, motion control, fluid power, automation, and MRO supplies to customers in virtually every industry. Additionally, Kaman provides engineering, design, and support for automation, electrical, linear, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems, as well as belting and rubber fabrication, customized mechanical services, hose assemblies, repair, fluid analysis, and motor management. The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military, and general aviation fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft; aerostructure engineering design analysis and FAA certification services; safe and arm solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; and support for the company's SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters.