The parent of Stevensville’s JR Automation is growing again through strategic acquisition, adding Doerfer Corporation’s automation systems group into the fold, even as they wrap up work on a 25,000 square foot expansion this month along Red Arrow Highway. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but the intent is to solidify the company’s position as a global leader in creating automated solutions.
JR Automation, which is headquartered up the Lake Michigan shore in Holland, is a leading provider of intelligent automated manufacturing technology solutions. Doerfer Corporation’s automation systems group is comprised of several component businesses including Advanced Automation, Wright Industries, FSA Systemes D’Assemblage, FSA Romania, PSB Technologies and equity interests in Beijing BYJC-Fabricom Assembly Line Co., Ltd.
The expanding Stevensville facility of JR Automation was acquired a couple of years ago when it was still known as Dane Systems on Red Arrow Highway between Stevensville and Bridgman.
This new transaction marks the first major acquisition for JR Automation under the ownership of Crestview Partners, a leading New York-based private equity firm, which acquired JR Automation in March 2015 as a platform for strategic growth in the industrial technology industry.
Mike DuBose is Chairman & CEO at JR Automation headquarters in Holland. He says, “The acquisition of these businesses will solidify JR Automation’s position as a global leader in creating automated solutions, enabling us to better serve the needs of all of our customers.” DuBose adds, “In addition to increasing our presence in North America, this acquisition will extend JR’s footprint into Europe and Asia, further diversifying the end-markets and geographies we serve. Combining our operations, customer relationships, and complementary areas of expertise will further establish us as a global leader in industrial automation and robotics systems integration.”
Established in 1980, JR Automation is a leading provider of intelligent automated manufacturing and technology solutions that solve customers’ key operational and productivity challenges. JR Automation serves customers across the globe in a variety of industries, including automotive, medical device, aerospace, and more. JR Automation employs nearly 1,700 people at 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Red Arrow Highway facility.
You may recall that JR Automation in Stevensville broke ground last spring and will invest nearly two million dollars into the Lincoln Charter Township facility and create 60 new high tech jobs over the next three years. Less than a month before that ground breaking ceremony, Lincoln Charter Township officials, working in concert with Rob Cleveland’s team at Cornerstone Alliance and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, had paved the way for the project when they approved a tax abatement for the new 25,000 square foot expansion which was targeted for completion by sometime this month. The result of the expansion plan is 60 new high wage jobs for skilled engineers and others at the facility along Red Arrow Highway which had been the home for years of Dane Systems which was acquired by JR Automation several years ago.
Here’s a brief snapshot of each of the component parts of Doerfer Corporation:
Advanced Automation: Based in Greenville, South Carolina, Advanced Automation is a leading supplier of automated process technologies that involve reactive chemicals, acids, and reagents. Primary end-markets served include the pharmaceutical, medical device, electronic and automotive industries.
Wright Industries: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, for the last 50 years Wright Industries has been a recognized leader in creating automated solutions for the production of specialty/carbon fiber, films and webs as well as hazardous waste handling. Primary end-markets include the aerospace, healthcare and textile industries.
FSA Systemes D’Assemblage: Over the past 30 years, FSA has been a leading provider of custom designed automation equipment, serving the needs of customers in a variety of end-markets including the automotive, consumer and general industrial industries. FSA France’s primary facility is in Besancon with an engineering office in Valence.
FSA Romania: FSA Romania designs and builds custom automation solutions for European customers in the consumer and automotive powertrain as well as other automotive end-markets. The factory operations and office facilities are in Cluj, Romania.
PSB Technologies: For 20+ years, PSB Technologies has been a leading provider of high precision automation equipment for Asia and beyond with a facility in the Bedok Reservoir industrial zone of Singapore. Primary end-markets include consumer electronics and medical devices.
Beijing BYJC-Fabricom Assembly Line Co., Ltd: Beijing BYJC-Fabricom Assembly Line Co., Ltd. Is a joint venture with Beijing No. 1 Machine Tool Plant, located in Beijing, China. This joint venture produces automated production equipment, primarily for the automotive industry.
