Kason Corp. acquires size reduction equipment maker Kek-Gardner

Kason Corporation, a U.S.-based manufacturer of screening, sifting, and fluid bed processing equipment, has acquired Kek-Gardner Ltd., a UK-based manufacturer of sifting, mixing, and size reduction equipment.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

“The acquisition of Kek-Gardner expands Kason’s global reach while broadening its portfolio of solutions-based equipment and systems for pharmaceutical, food, dairy, chemical, plastics and powder coating applications,” said Kason CEO Jonathan Weiner.

According to Kason, the acquisition makes it the world’s largest manufacturer of centrifugal sifting equipment, and also adds mixers, blenders, reactors, kibblers, cone mills, universal mills, air classifier mills, vertical sifters and solid-liquid separators to the equipment line offered through its headquarters in Millburn, N.J.

Kek-Gardner management and manufacturing, located 25 miles south of Manchester, England, will oversee Kason’s European operations.

“Kason has long been a world leader in vibratory and centrifugal screening and in fluid bed drying technology,” explains Weiner, adding, “We increased the size and capacity of the Millburn facility by one-third in 2013 and have achieved two consecutive years of double-digit growth. The added product lines, engineering resources and international sales network of Kek-Gardner will enable Kason to accelerate its rate of growth throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim.”

George Tunnicliffe, former managing director of Kek-Gardner, will become managing director of Kason Europe. Henry Alamzad will continue as Kason’s president and head of global sales and marketing.