Released on July 14, 2008

Private equity fund Monomoy Capital Partners LP, New York, has acquired the assets and operations of Kurdziel Industries Inc., Muskegon, Mich., adding to its growing portfolio of metalcasters.

Monomoy, which generally invests in middle-market companies, purchased the ferrous metalcaster for an undisclosed amount from the Kurdziel family and renamed the business Carlton Creek Ironworks Inc.

The investment group currently operates several other metalcasters under its Compass Automotive Group, including Castings Technologies Co., Franklin, Ind., and Magnesium Aluminum Corp., Cleveland. In October 2007, the firm purchased Alcoa Aluminum Castings, Pittsburgh, and merged it into the automotive group; Kurdziel will join Compass, as well.

Kurdziel manufactures commercial castings and counterweights for a variety of industries. Its customers include John Deere, Haas, Komatsu and Genie. All of the company’s businesses, including Kurdziel International Corp., a Chinese sourcing business, and Kurdziel Industrial Coatings Co., a blasting and painting company, as well as the company’s flagship iron metalcasting facility, will now be operated under the Carlton Creek umbrella.

Former Kurdziel chief executive officer Ken Zach will continue as CEO of Carlton Creek. According to a press release issued by Monomoy, Zach and other company executives will attempt to revitalize the flagging metalcasting business through lean manufacturing strategies and increased financial support.

“Over the last 75 years, Kurdziel has built valuable relationships and established a solid reputation for high quality products,” Zach said. “With Monomoy’s operating expertise and the continued dedication of our employees and business partners, I am certain that Carlton Creek will grow from its exceptional heritage into an even stronger company.”