News
Haala Industries is Now Part of the Afinitas Family!
Strengthens manufacturing capabilities and expands accessories product line
ST. LOUIS — November 15, 2022 — Afinitas, the leading global infrastructure equipment and services company, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Haala Industries, a major manufacturer of steel-fabricated products, including rebar mats, wire cone cages and related accessories for precast concrete and drainage applications.
Headquartered in Sleepy Eye, MN, Haala Industries was founded by Dave Haala in 1974 as a fabrication company for local agricultural and construction needs. For nearly 50 years, Haala has designed and manufactured top-quality steel products and has established itself as a leader in fabricated rebar mats, wire cone cages, threaded products and drainage gates and guards. With its range of offerings and reputation for quality and innovation, the acquisition of Haala bolsters the Afinitas concrete accessories portfolio and expands its ability to provide customers with more service and selection.
“We are excited to welcome Haala’s experienced team to the Afinitas family,” said Brad Schmidgall, Afinitas CEO. “Their impressive design and manufacturing capabilities, coupled with our strong operations and product offerings enhances our leadership position in bringing innovative solutions to our customers.”
“Since our founding, Haala has grown and thrived by providing dependable, economical solutions for our customers,” said Ed Sexe, Haala CEO. “We are thrilled to join forces with Afinitas, a highly respected company that will position us for future success and continue to build on our reputation as an industry leader.”
Reflecting on his many years in business, Dave Haala expressed gratitude for the dedication and commitment of his current and former employees. “Without them, we never would have had the success and growth we’ve had over the past 48 years.”
The acquisition of Haala Industries is in line with Afinitas’ strategy to build the premier platform of concrete technologies and provide a differentiated level of product expertise to producers of infrastructural products. Haala’s extensive variety of products complements Afinitas’ concrete accessory product lines which include steel and plastic spacers, steel stirrup mats, lifting devices, fasteners, manhole steps, and magnets, among other products.
ABOUT HAALA INDUSTRIES
Haala Industries, Inc. was founded in 1974 by Dave Haala in Sleepy Eye, MN, and grew its first roots servicing the metal fabrication and repair needs of the local community. It has since developed into a leading innovator and manufacturer of metal fabricated products, including fabricated rebar products, wire cone cages, flared end cages, trash guards, safety grates, pipe ties, barrier pins among many other products.
ABOUT AFINITAS
The Afinitas platform brings together global leaders in the design, manufacture, installation and support of products and equipment to produce precast concrete and infrastructure products. The company is organized into three divisions: Equipment and Automation (representing the HawkeyePedershaab Concrete Technologies, Inc. and BFS Betonfertigteilesysteme GmbH brand products); Forming Systems (representing the New Hampton Metal Fabrication and Spillman Company brand products) and Concrete Accessories (representing products from CAM, Hawkeye, Spillman, Caswick Ltd. and Amifast).
By combining this expertise, Afinitas strengthens its commitment to providing best-in-class solutions and service for its customers around the world. Afinitas is part of BW Forsyth Partners, LLC, an investment group backed by global manufacturing and engineering consulting firm Barry-Wehmiller. To learn more, go to afinitas.com.
ABOUT BW FORSYTH PARTNERS
BW Forsyth Partners is a St. Louis-based investment firm with a perpetual investment horizon and permanent capital base. Forsyth focuses on acquiring and building enduring businesses through a people-centric approach to culture, programmatic acquisitions, and operational strategic deployment. For more information, visit bwforsyth.com.
Haala Industries Yard Expansion & New Addition
Haala Industries, Inc. continues to grow despite our country’s economic recession. Earlier this summer Haala Industries began to expand their yard to better product inventory organization prior to starting the new addition on their facility. The new location for the yard is just north of Haala Industries’ manufacturing facility.
Haala Industries, Inc. will be expanding to the east portion of their existing facility. The new addition will accommodate current and future growth of existing and new product lines. Currently they supply the precast industry with reinforcement products such as rebar mats and wire cone cages, and finished accessories including grates and guards.
This is an exciting opportunity for Haala Industries as it will relieve congestion throughout the facility, streamlines processes within the shop and allow the production floor to become more efficient. It will also create room for future automation to be incorporated.
The yard expansion is now complete and is being utilized. The construction of the new addition is scheduled to begin in early July with a complete date of late summer or early fall.
Steve Haala feels, “With our economy still turning around from a recession we have found many doors to open. We have continued to grow, hired more employees and purchased new equipment over the past few years. As the company continues to grow, we are expanding our manufacturing area by nearly fifty percent. It is puzzling to see so much opportunity all day long; however when you turn on the evening news a different economic outcome about our country is being broadcasted.”
"Today in America"
Haala Industries, Inc. had an exciting opportunity to work with the "Today in America" crew to create a segment featuring the company as an American manufacturer.
Haala Industries, Inc. was first approached for this unique opportunity with the "Today in America" in July 2010. "Today in America", hosted by Terry Bradshaw, features a variety of topics and relevant issues that impacts America.
The filming took place in June of 2011 on site at Haala Industries, Inc.. The segment captures Haala Industries' mission, core values and innovation as they grow and expand as a company.
