Columbus McKinnon to acquire Dorner

Columbus McKinnon has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Dorner Manufacturing Corporation (Dorner) from global private markets firm EQT. Dorner is a leading automation solutions company providing patented technologies in the design, application, manufacturing and integration of high-precision conveying systems,.

David J Wilson, president and CEO of Columbus McKinnon, said, “The acquisition of Dorner provides a catalyst for growth in extremely attractive markets and begins the process of reimagining the future of Columbus McKinnon. Dorner advances our strategy to broaden expertise in intelligent motion solutions for material handling, provides access to high-growth secular markets and strengthens our earnings power. Their deep technical expertise and experienced management team are an excellent complement to our global organisation. In addition, their offerings provide a critical link to industrial automation, complementing our leadership position in material handling.

“We believe that the acquisition of Dorner is a defining move that advances our Blueprint for Growth 2.0 strategy and enables multiple opportunities for future growth.”

Dorner creates a growth catalyst for Columbus McKinnon and provides diversification into attractive end-markets. A market leader in the nearly $5 billion global specialty conveyor market, Dorner has a proven track record of growth achieving 12% compound annual growth rate over the last five years and outpacing industry growth rates of approximately 6% to 8%.

Dorner can expand Columbus McKinnon’s product offering through a broad range of highly engineered, precision conveying solutions. It can help accelerate the company’s shift to intelligent motion and serve as a platform to expand capabilities in advanced, higher technology automation solutions. Attractive complementary adjacencies include sortation and asynchronous conveyance. Columbus McKinnon’s global presence will support Dorner’s geographic expansion

Dorner was founded in 1966 in Hartland, Wisconsin and is a leader in high-precision, specialty conveyor systems that enhance productivity, quality, reliability, speed, uptime, and end user profitability. Dorner offers a broad product offering across both modular standard and highly engineered custom conveyor solutions. With nearly 400 employees, Dorner has deep engineering and technical expertise with facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.