Metal Finishing Technologies, LLC (MFT) (Bristol, Connecticut, USA), a nationally recognized leading provider of metal finishing and specialty coating services for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers, announced the acquisition of Aqua Blasting Corp. (Bloomfield, Connecticut, USA), a provider of shot peening and blasting services to the aerospace, defense, medical, and semiconductor markets.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone for MFT as the first acquisition under its Battle Investment Group partnership, as it expands and diversifies the company’s surface treatment offerings by adding surface enhancement capabilities.
Founded in 1971, Aqua Blasting has demonstrated competency within peening and blasting technologies, including shot and glass bead peening, dry and wet abrasive blasting, and vapor, soda and automated grit blasting.
The company holds important certifications such as FAA Part 145 Repair Station, NADCAP AC7117 and AC7117/2 Surface Enhancement, NADCAP AC7004 Aerospace Quality System, U.S. ATF Federal Firearms License, ITAR compliance, and numerous customer specific certifications.
Aqua Blasting operates out of an 11,000 square foot (1,022.0 m2) facility that houses automated peening and media blasting equipment, as well as several large abrasive blasting rooms that handle parts up to 20 feet (6.1 m) in length.
“Over the last three years, MFT has significantly invested into its facility to expand service offerings and capabilities, including the addition of non-destructive testing, and new NADCAP plating lines,” says Peter Mirabello, chairman of MFT. “Aqua Blasting represents an exciting next step in the evolution of MFT.”
“Aqua Blasting already holds key certifications that align with MFT’s strategic growth plan and enable immediate servicing of our current customers,” says Zach Kleiner, president of MFT and leader of the combined company. “Our ultimate focus is providing customers with industry-leading quality and turnaround times.”
“MFT is strategically building additional capabilities to become a one-stop shop for metal surface treatment, and we believe the acquisition of Aqua Blasting represents a compelling opportunity to vertically integrate MFT’s solution offering with surface enhancement technologies,” says Alex Bosse, principal at Battle Investment Group. “Customers prefer consolidating metal treatment services to one provider, and the ability to control more of the process provides MFT a competitive advantage in competing for new work. We believe this will present an attractive value proposition for existing and new customers.”
“We are all proud and excited to join the MFT team,” adds Richard Madamba, president of Aqua Blasting. “Together, we will deliver a broader array of capabilities, enabling better service to our new and existing customers. We are looking forward to the next chapter of our journey together.”
Source: Metal Finishing Technologies, www.mftech.com.