Released on May 4, 2009

Prominent metalcasting suppliers Disa Group, Herlev, Denmark, and Wheelabrator Group, LaGrange, Ga., have merged into one company, effective May 4.

According to a press release issued by the companies, the merger will bring together Disa’s expertise in molding and casting with Wheelabrator’s “surface preparation technology.”

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the company, our employees and our customers,” said Robert E. Joyce Jr., president and CEO of the newly merged company. “I am confident that the merger will provide our customers with world-class technologies and local service offers unparalleled in our industry.”

According to the release, the merger has been in the works since Sept. 4, 2008. The marrying of the two companies, both owned by Mid Europa Partners, was completed when the German Bundeskartellamt granted official approval.

“In preparation for the merger, the management teams from Disa and Wheelabrator have been working together to combine the best of both companies,” Joyce said. “‘Best of Both’ became a theme during the planning process, and now it becomes reality as the result of all the planning comes to fruition.”

Disa supplies molding, sand and core technologies and metal surface finishing systems to the metalcasting industry, among others, in more than 50 countries. Wheelabrator provides blast equipment designed to clean, strengthen and polish metallic surfaces to metalcasters in more than 100 countries. Together, the companies will employ 2,500 people across five continents.

“Our central focus as a merged company is simple—enhance our customers’ metallic parts and components,” Joyce said. “Our breadth of technical knowledge and local service delivery mean that we can provide our customers with solutions to their technical challenges anytime, anywhere and in any language.”