Excalibur Co. adds to platform with acquisition of Ensign Equipment

Excalibur Co. adds to platform with acquisition of Ensign Equipment

 

MUSKEGON — Ensign Equipment Inc., a bulk-material handling and storage systems producer based in Holland, Mich., has been acquired by Muskegon-based Excalibur Co. LLC.

Through the acquisition, Ensign will join a conglomerate of manufacturers and increase Excalibur’s platform to four facilities with more than 120,000 square feet of production space, full metal fabrication and finishing capabilities for aluminum, carbon and stainless steel.

The acquisition of Ensign Equipment provides a “natural fit” for Excalibur, according to Managing Partner Mark Hoofman.

“It combines the manufacturing capabilities on our fabrication side with the product line that is sold nationally on the sales side,” Hoofman told MiBiz.

The former owner of Ensign, Dave Pulver, started the company nearly 30 years ago, finding a niche in offering customized material handling solutions along with standardized products. Now, he is ready to retire, Hoofman said.

“(Pulver) was interested in the legacy and continuation of the business in the present facility with the present staff,” he said. “We fit that bill and so we’re able to consummate the sale.”

Excalibur acquired Muskegon-based Heights Sheet Metal Inc. under similar circumstances about 10 years ago, according to Hoofman.

“It was a similar scenario with the owner not having a succession plan and wanting to retire and that business fitting perfectly with our existing business,” he said.

In Muskegon, the group also owns Production Fabricators Inc. and Bauer Sheet Metal and Fabricating Inc. 

Ensign has experienced steady growth since 2011 and has recently invested in expanding its sales and engineering departments, according to Hoofman, who said Excalibur aims to continue making investments to grow the company.

“We’re not afraid to invest in our teams,” Hoofman said. “I’m really excited for the growth we’ll experience in the future.”

Hoofman did not disclose the terms of the deal, which he described as a stock acquisition.

Advisers for the deal included Norton Shores-based accounting firm Conn Geneva & Robinson PC and Muskegon-based Parmenter Law.


EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated from its original version.