Eagan-based Miller Manufacturing Co. has bought Allied Precision Industries in Elburn, Ill., a purchase that will expand Miller's vast array of farm and animal-feed products.
With Allied, Miller gains about 100 new products, including heaters, de-icers, pet beds, bowls, buckets and hoses as well as bird baths, ponds and animal watering systems, company officials said this week. Terms of the transaction and Allied's sales information were not disclosed, but industry estimates place Allied's revenue in excess of $7.5 million per year.
By contrast, Miller Manufacturing generates more than $50 million in annual sales and manufactures most of the 900 products it sells. Offerings include feed, watering and handling products for farms, ranches and households with pets. It uses the brand names Little Giant, Hot-Shot, Springer Magrath, Double-Tuf and Pet Lodge. Miller will add another 15 to 20 percent in sales from the Allied purchase.
"We are excited about the purchase of Allied … and look forward to the additional growth opportunities it will bring Miller and our distributor and retail partners," said Miller CEO Dan Ferrise, adding that the deal further strengthens Miller's commitment to U.S. manufacturing.
Over the next four months, Ferrise will relocate Allied's production, inventory and shipping operations to Miller's Glencoe, Minn., location and to a sister company called Plastech Corp. in Rush City, Minn.
Some Allied employees will be offered jobs in Minnesota. "Overall, we expect to add up to 30 new jobs as a result of this acquisition," Ferrise said. However, not all of the new hires are expected to come from Allied.
Miller marketing manager Ashley Lenz said, "We hope that Allied employees will consider relocating and applying for these jobs but we realize that there will likely be many opportunities for local applicants as well."
The bulk of the new additions will be production and engineering positions, Lenz said. It is not yet known how many of the new workers will be added to Glencoe vs. Rush City.
