Snyder Industries – a manufacturer of polyethylene tanks and containers for storage, transportation and processing of bulk materials – has acquired the asset tank divisions of Clarkston, Mich.-based Clawson Container Co. which manufactures and markets stainless steel, carbon steel, rotationally molded intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and rental tank fleets. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Clawson Container retains its blow-molded IBC manufacturing plants and related business units.
Mike Spurrier, vice president of sales and marketing for Lincoln, Neb.-based Snyder, told Lube Report that both its own products and those of Clawsons acquired divisionare used tostore lubricants and greases. There are specialized containers for greases, and also poly containers for lubricants, Spurrier said. Sometimes fire code issues and regulations in certain areas can determine whether or not a steel container or a poly container can be used. Both are used quite often in lubricant applications.
Spurrier explained that the Clawson acquisition both expands Snyders polyethylene offerings and allows Snyder entry into different markets.
Snyder Industries was and is a leader in poly containers, he said. A lot of times steel needs to be used in cases of regulations – certain chemicals and flammables that are regulated, or maybe sterilization that requires steel. This put us in a position where we could use both steel and poly, to get us into new markets. We can also bundle those products for our existing customers that may buy both products.
Snyders IBC division specializes in U.N. and Dept. of Transportation-approved IBCs for the transportation of bulk liquid materials, including lubricants, hazardous chemicals, paints and coatings, food and beverages, inks and dyes, adhesives and sealants.
Snyder said the Clawson acquisition will expand Snyders IBC product offering to include both stainless and carbon steel IBC designs, which will allow the company access to many new markets not serviced by their polyethylene product line due to some specific performance limitations in chemical compatibility, temperature exposure, and sterilization as well as some government regulatory restrictions.
Ownership transfer of the Asset Tank divisions took effect Dec. 29 and included three of the 10 IBC production facilities previously operated by Clawson.
Snyder Industries is a privately owned company with majority interest held by Cortec Group Fund III, a New York based private equity firm, which invests in middle market manufacturing, distribution and service businesses.