More than tripling its current number of blowmolding machines and better than doubling its staff, Blow Molded Specialties (BMS; Minneapolis, MN) has acquired the assets of Acrotech Plastics Midwest (Watertown, SD). “Acrotech was an attractive acquisition candidate because of the talent and technology they''d developed, and because we saw great alignment in our business philosophy and value proposition,” responded Jeff Spethmann, BMS president, to e-mailed questions.

Terms were not disclosed for the deal, which entailed Acrotech’s 98,000-sq-ft plant and 23 blowmolding machines, including a multilayer line capable of 6-layer coextruded low-emission fuel tanks. The company’s 65 employees process parts for off-road recreational and utility vehicles. Spethmann said that Acrotech’s sales manager, Don Miller; engineering manager, Ken Carter; and operations manager, Dan Newton have all been retained.

BMS operates from a 60,000-sq-ft plant with 10 blowmolding machines and 60 staff. The company’s clients are in the off-road and recreation vehicle, playground equipment, point-of-purchase display, appliance, and sporting goods markets. BMS, along with metal blanks/coils manufacturer Spantek, and point-of-sale equipment fabricator APG Cash Drawer, is part of the UMI Co., which generates $57 million in sales. Since 1999, BMS has grown from $3 to $18 million in sales. Spethmann said there is very little overlap in BMS and Acrotech customers. “Both firms offered similar services, but focused on different market segments.”—[email protected]