Dielectric Corporation announced Thursday, Jan. 22, that it has acquired Centerline Machine Inc. of Waupaca.
Centerline Machine specializes in the machining and fabrication of parts and products composed of steel, composites and exotic alloys.
The company’s capabilities complement Dielectric Corporation’s strengths in the manufacture of plastic and non-ferrous metal products, according to a press release.
“With the addition of the Centerline Machine operation, we can now offer a wider range of machining, fabrication and prototyping services. This expansion will enable us to better serve existing clients and to diversify our customer base,” Dielectric’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Esser said.
Operations will continue at the Waupaca facility.
Centerline Machine was started in 1996 by Charles Leiby, who opened the company in his garage with one machine.
The company has grown steadily ever since and now has 45,000 square feet of machining, fabricating and assembly floor space and equipment that includes three-ton, five-ton and ten-ton cranes.
Centerline manufactures and fabricates equipment for the energy, defense, food, plastic and paper industries and subcontracts machining services to government contractors and automakers.
Founded in 1965, Dielectric is based in Menominee Falls. Over the past several years, it has pursued a careful growth strategy.
In 2011, the company opened its JR Prototypes division to offer rapid prototyping and other additive manufacturing services.
The Centerline Machine acquisition enables Dielectric Corporation to offer machining in a wider range of materials and sizes. Further, it expands its service mix to include metal fabrication, laser cutting and abrasive waterjet material processing.
“We anticipate the need for expanded capabilities and services to meet customer demand in coming years. As a result, we plan to further develop operations at all of our facilities,” says Esser.
At its Menomonee Falls facility, Dielectric recently added a Northwoods four-spindle router with a large table for bigger builds and an automated tool changer for greater efficiency, a new large-part inkjet printing machine to achieve faster drying times, and an additional HAAS VF-6, three-axis large table, vertical machining center with five-axis option for greater capacity.
“We are committed to meeting our customers’ changing needs through technology improvements and added capabilities. These recent purchases, along with the addition of the Centerline Machine facility, enable us to continue to provide the quality and service that our customers have come to expect from Dielectric,” Dielectric Corporation Chief Operating Officer Perry Pabich said.