ST. LOUIS — October 25, 2024 – Afinitas, the leading global infrastructure equipment and services company, announced today it has acquired a major share of the concrete machinery and forming systems assets of Elk River Machine Company (ERMC), headquartered in Elk River, MN. ERMC parent company, Hutchinson Manufacturing, LLC, a private equity firm specializing in custom metal fabrication and large contract volume metal manufacturing, is divesting ERMC’s concrete equipment division to focus on its other businesses.
As part of the acquisition, Afinitas will take ownership of the intellectual property and assets of ERMC’s concrete product lines, including wire mesh benders, wire mesh rollers, cage expanders, wetcast and drycast forms, and retaining wall forming systems, among other products. In addition, ERMC’s Senior Designer Paul Gill will join the Afinitas team to assist with integrating these products into the Afinitas portfolio.
“The acquisition of ERMC’s technology, combined with our extensive offering, enables Afinitas to serve customers with an even more comprehensive selection,” said Jason Duncan, Afinitas CEO. “Equally important, we look forward to servicing and being a trusted resource to the current ERMC customer base.”
ABOUT ERMC
Formed in 1961, ERMC has grown to become one of the most prominent full-service contract manufacturing facilities in the Midwest. Its capabilities include complete, in-house material processing, welding, machining, assembly, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) services. In 1968, ERMC was acquired by Cretex, a privately held, diversified manufacturing company headquartered in Elk River, Minnesota. ERMC was sold to private equity firm Hutchinson Manufacturing, LLC, in 2019.
ABOUT AFINITAS
The Afinitas platform brings together global leaders in the design, manufacture, installation and support of products and equipment to produce precast concrete and infrastructure products. The company is organized into three divisions: Equipment and Automation (representing the HawkeyePedershaab Concrete Technologies, Inc. and BFS Betonfertigteilesysteme GmbH brand products); Forming Systems and Concrete Accessories. By combining this expertise, Afinitas strengthens its commitment to providing best-in-class solutions and service for its customers around the world. Afinitas is part of BW Forsyth Partners, LLC, an investment group backed by global manufacturing and engineering consulting firm Barry-Wehmiller. To learn more, go to afinitas.com.
ABOUT BW FORSYTH PARTNERS
BW Forsyth Partners is a St. Louis-based investment firm with a perpetual investment horizon and permanent capital base. Forsyth focuses on acquiring and building enduring businesses through a people-centric approach to culture, programmatic acquisitions, and operational strategic deployment. For more information, visit bwforsyth.com.