IFH Acquires Bowman Manufacturing
This deal expands their fabrication presence in commercial electronics, healthcare, electric utilities, industrial equipment and telecommunications.
Posted: December 30, 2015
The IFH Group, Inc. (IFH; Rock Falls, IL), the originator of industrial fluid storage and handling systems and a leading fabricator of custom hydraulic reservoirs and fuel tanks, has acquired Bowman Manufacturing Company, Inc. (Arlington, WA), to create The IFH Group West, LLC.
“Bowman’s capabilities for fabricating custom electrical enclosures and precision sheet metal parts from concept to prototype to production fits in very well with our existing capabilities and product lines and expands our offerings to customers,” said Jim King, the chief executive officer of IFH.
Like IFH, Bowman’s manufacturing operation is based on precision sheet metal fabrication capabilities, augmented by design engineering, value-added assembly and engineering support. The company operates in the heart of the Pacific Northwest from an 88,000 sq ft facility, 35 miles north of Seattle. Since 1971, the company has been supporting a wide variety of industries throughout the Northwest, which will give IFH a significantly increased presence there.
New capabilities that the acquisition brings to IFH include manufacturing of custom enclosures such as chassis for audio switching equipment, backup power stations, solar system battery enclosures and marine diesel, as well as kiosk design and fabrication. Markets served include commercial electronics, healthcare, electric utilities, industrial equipment and telecommunications.
Like IFH, Bowman has followed a lean manufacturing philosophy that includes a vertically integrated CNC production facility encompassing the latest in precision fabrication production technology. From material handling equipment to robotic forming and bending, the company has optimized its production process in order to minimize lead-time. The IFH Group West is UL508A certified and qualified to ISO 9001:2008.
There are three primary operations at The IFH Group. The first is the manufacturing of hydraulic oil reservoirs and fuel tanks for off-road vehicles used in construction, agriculture and many other areas. The second area of focus is the manufacturing of fluid storage and dispensing equipment for lubricants, oils, chemicals and other industrial fluids. This operation also includes state-of-the art equipment and processes for custom metal fabrication and powder coating. The third is the fabrication of electrical enclosures and custom kiosks. Today, IFH operates a 131,000 sq ft facility in Rock Falls and an 88,000 sq ft facility in Arlington. IFH Group is the largest manufacturer of small, customized fuel and hydraulic oil reservoir tanks in the country.
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