Galaxy Associates Inc., whose Fremont Industrial division supplies metalworking and metal finishing products and services, recently acquired Innovative Chemical Solutions, whose product lines include industrial lubricants, forging lubricants and fire resistant hydraulic oil. Terms of the acquisition, which went into effect Feb. 27, were not disclosed.
The Galaxy people and ICS people have really known each other for quite a long time, Galaxy President Bill Oeters told Lube Report. Most of the sales people have either competed against each other or worked with each other at various companies over the years. Theres a longstanding relationship and friendship between the two companies.
Oeters said there are synergies between the two companies in terms of products as well. Most of the products that Galaxy had we would call metal finishing products, which means after the piece of metal has been cut and bent into whatever final shape is, it would typically go through a washer to be cleaned so you could paint it, he explained. Our products would be used in that washer to clean the metals, and the Innovative Chemical Solutions products are ones used earlier in the process when doing the metal cutting, bending and grinding. So they would be at the front end of a plant we would be working in, and then were at the back end of the manufacturing process.
Cincinnati-based Galaxy provides specialty, custom-blended products, services and technical support to industrial customers. It specializes in cleaners, sealers and specialty chemistries for its four major divisions, including metal finishing, metalworking, automotive, transportation and pulp and paper. Oeters said the company has opened a new facility in Parma, Mich. that will make metalworking fluids for automotive suppliers and other industries.
ICSs industrial lubricants include way oil, spindle oils, hydraulic oil and gear oil. Its fire resistant hydraulic oil offers corrosion protection and contains an anti-wear component to extend life on pumps, valves and cylinders. The companys drawing and stamping fluids are lubricants designed for light, medium and heavy duty operations. Its forging lubricants are non-smoking and non-flammable, and feature uniform wetting and extended die life, the company claims.
Oeters said Jim Cramer, who was president of Chelsea, Mich.-based ICS, is now a vice president for Galaxy. Don Miller is vice president of sales.