MINSTER — Officials at Nidec Minster Corporation have announced the acquisition of Canadian-based Linear Automation Inc., one of the industry’s leading supplier of specialized automation machinery with a focus on optimizing metal stamping operations.
With the acquisition, Linear Automation will be joining Nidec Press & Automation — a global consortium of metal forming equipment manufacturers headquartered in Minster.
“Linear is a natural fit,” NP&A CEO David Winch said. “It’s another strategic addition to the NP&A portfolio that will greatly benefit our customers with turnkey manufacturing systems and technical service from a single source.”
Linear Automation will join other well known metal forming OEM brands under the NP&A umbrella, including: Minster Presses (Ohio); Arisa Presses (Spain); Kyori Presses (Japan); Vamco Feeds (Pittsburgh); CHS Coil Lines (Michigan); Automatic Feed Coil and Blank Processing Lines (Ohio); and SYS Controls, Feeds and Automation (Germany).
“The brands that make up NP&A complement each other strategically,” said Ronald Arling, President of Nidec Minster and Nidec Press & Automation. “Together we are able to offer our customers unprecedented industry knowledge and experience all geared toward making them more successful. And it’s backed up by an extensive and responsive global customer service network.”
Located in Barrie, Ontario, Linear Automation was established in 1994. Linear is a well respected supplier of press transfer automation, blank feed systems, end-of-line automation, robotic feeding and part stacking systems, and press-to-press automation solutions.
“We are excited to welcome the Linear Automation to our NP&A group,” Arling added. “We look forward to providing our customers with another innovative resource from which to build a productive and profitable manufacturing solution.”
The acquisition includes Linear’s headquarters and production facility in Barrie, along with North American service centers located in Windsor, ON; Louisville, KY; and Monterrey, Mexico. Linear Automation President Rama Jayaweera said the acquisition will open new markets and provide expanded capital that will facilitate the company’s growth opportunities.
“This is a great opportunity for our business to expand and employees to prosper,” he said. “Not only do our products complement current offerings from the NP&A group, but we hope to take advantage of the global resources, industry contacts, and new markets to help us better serve our customers.”
Linear Automation and its 100 employees will continue to operate under its current leadership team at their present facilities. Nidec Press & Automation serves as the global metal forming division for the Nidec Corporation, located in Kyoto, Japan.
The NP&A group companies include more than 1,400 employees from 17 locations. The group operates a shared global customer service network with major service centers located in Minster, Ohio, Mexico, Germany, Spain and China.
