Metal fabricator acquires company

Metal fabricator acquires company

An up-close look at a four-plate CNC roller machine that can form sheet metal and steel plates. Courtesy DeWys Manufacturing

A metal fabricator in the region has acquired a company that will help it expand in the agriculture industry.

Marne-based DeWys Manufacturing said this week it acquired Wyoming-based American Grower Resource, or AGR, an agricultural resources company.

Mitch Brueker will lead the new DeWys division as business development coordinator.

DeWys said the acquisition will allow it to “further explore” the agriculture industry, while also becoming an OEM of agriculture equipment.

AGR provides big-box greenhouses across the country with transportation grow racks. Customers include Meijer, Menards, The Home Depot and Lowe's.

AGR’s grow racks serve as a transportation units for products from greenhouses and growers to their final destinations. 

With a range of brake and caster options for customers, the grow racks are designed for “strength, durability and safety.”

DeWys will produce the carts at its production facility in Marne.

American Grower Resource’s mild-steel carts will be produced in "lean manufacturing value streams," where they'll be precision-machined and hand-welded by AWS-certified welders.

The grow racks will also be painted on a modern powder-coating line with paint designed to "withstand a greenhouse environment," then assembled to customers’ requirements.

Jon DeWys, CEO of DeWys Manufacturing, said the acquisition will allow for “continuous growth and innovation,” with the goal of expanding the agricultural products offered through AGR.

DeWys will retain AGR’s workforce, which consisted of two employees. The company also plans to hire two additional workers to support the division.

The previous owner of AGR sold the business after 20 years, because he’s retiring.