By David Reed, UT EditorMinneapolis, Minnesota-Graco Inc., a global specialist in fluid handling, has taken over two key US polyurethane-processing-machinery makers and their US and European affiliates, in two separate moves which propel the firm to a global fourth place in the urethane machinery sector.The most recent deal, announced 4 Feb, saw Graco pay $45 million in cash to affiliates of PMC Global Inc. of Sun Valley, California, to acquire the stock of Gusmer Corp, based in Lakewood, New Jersey, and a further $20 million for its Gusmer Europe SL operation in Vilanova, near Barcelona, Spain. The two businesses had sales totalling $43 million, the Graco statement added.The other firms acquired recently, with sales totalling $26 million, are North Canton, Ohio-based Liquid Control Corp. with its three subsidiaries: Profill Corp., also based in North Canton, Decker Industries Inc. of Palm City, Florida, and Liquid Control Ltd of Wellingborough, England. Three plants and equipment were included in this transaction, which was announced 21 Dec."
