Racine Fed. Acquires Asahi”s Flowmeter Lines

Racine Federated Inc. (RFI, www.racinefed.com) signed an agreement to acquire the Asahi/America (www.asahi-america.com) vortex and ultrasonic flowmeter product lines. Under terms of the deal, Asahi/America, a manufacturer and distributor of corrosion-resistant thermoplastic fluid flow solutions, including valves, actuators, and industrial dual-containment and high-purity piping systems, will no longer sell, service, or support the Universal vortex flowmeter and FloSonex ultrasonic flowmeter product lines. Racine Federated, of Racine, Wisc., has taken ownership of Asahi/America’s entire flowmeter stock and has assumed responsibility for all operations surrounding both product lines.

"The Asahi/America vortex products will be an excellent complement to RFI”s current product family,” said John Erskine, president and CEO of Racine Federated, in a prepared statement. “We are excited about the new market opportunities this creates for Racine Federated’s flow measurement group."

The addition of Asahi/America’s vortex-shedding product line is expected to enhance RFI”s offering of flow measurement equipment and fluid management solutions. The line will be fully integrated into RFI’s Racine, Wisc. facility by the third quarter of 2007, and RFI will contstruct a Class 1000-certified cleanroom for meter production. In addition to vortex-shedding meters, RFI’s flowmeter group includes ultrasonic, turbine, insertion electromagnetic, variable-area, and differential-pressure primary flow elements.

RFI’s flowmeter group serves the pulp & paper, chemical & petroleum processing, water & waste treatment, general industrial, automotive production, food & beverage, semiconductor capital equipment, HVAC, energy, and fluid power markets.

Racine Federated was founded in 1970 and is a privately held manufacturer of flowmeters and internal concrete vibrators. RFI products are sold under the following trade names: Blancett, Dynasonics, Flo-tech, Hedland, Preso, Racine Vortex, and Wyco.