Saguenay (QC, Canada) and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville (QC, Canada), August 24th, 2021 – Mecfor, the Saguenay-based North American leader in specialized mobile equipment for the aluminum and rail industries, and Saint-Bruno-based Advanced Dynamics, a premier manufacturer of heavy-duty material handling equipment for the primary and secondary aluminum industries and the pulp and paper industry, announced today that they have fully merged their operations. The newly formed company will be known as EPIQ Machinery.
Mecfor and Advanced Dynamics, two companies with shared values and complementary expertise, have merged to seize a unique opportunity to make EPIQ Machinery a North American leader in mobile and heavy equipment for the aluminum, pulp and paper, and rail equipment industries. EPIQ Machinery now has the critical mass needed to accelerate international growth by focusing on innovation in addition to making investments and acquisitions. Diversification through its three lines of business will enable EPIQ Machinery to mitigate risks and ensure medium- and long-term business continuity.
Combined revenues for the two companies will exceed CAD55 million, 75% of which will come from sales outside Canada.
Once the merger is finalized, Éloïse Harvey, who was Mecfor’s president, will officially become CEO of EPIQ Machinery. SeaFort Capital, Mecfor’s majority shareholder for the past three years, will become the majority shareholder of EPIQ Machinery. The balance of shares is held by employees.
Strong presence in Saguenay and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville.
All current Mecfor and Advanced Dynamics employees will join the new company, which, between its offices and production facilities in Saguenay and Saint-Bruno (the future location of EPIQ Machinery’s head office), will have a staff of more than 200 in Quebec.
The two organizations will continue to show strong leadership in the development of their own technologies and markets. The Saguenay facilities will be home to the Mobile Equipment and Autonomous Vehicle Center of Excellency as well as the Local Manufacturing Center of Excellency. The Fixed Equipment and Process Systems Centre of Excellency and the 4.0, Robotics and Automation Center of Excellency will be established in Saint-Bruno.
No jobs will be lost at either site. The company will also leverage its Advanced Dynamics–owned production facilities in India.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of several years of fruitful collaboration between our two companies. We’re pleased to be able to create a world-class equipment manufacturer based on shared values. Together, we’ll be able to invest in our growth, our projects, and, above all, our brilliant team to make Quebec’s industrial equipment expertise shine in the world’s biggest markets.”
Éloïse Harvey, CEO, EPIQ Machinery
Former president of Mecfor
“Today is the beginning of a new chapter for our two companies. Over the past few years, Advanced Dynamics and Mecfor have worked together on many projects and gotten to know one another. A natural bond quickly formed and it inspired us to start talking seriously about a merger. This merger positions us to achieve our ambitions by helping us attract and retain a qualified workforce that relishes challenges and innovation, as well as ensuring business continuity through sustained growth. I am delighted with this extremely promising alliance.”
Peter Hanna, (General Sales Manager – Pulp and Paper), EPIQ Machinery
Former president and head of the pulp and paper division at Advanced Dynamics
About Mecfor
Founded in 1997, Mecfor designs and manufactures specialized equipment for industries like primary aluminum and markets that equipment around the world. Mecfor’s mobile equipment includes various types of specialized vehicles, including haulers, multifunctional vehicles for foundries, and autonomous vehicles, that make primary aluminum producers more productive and profitable. The company has diversified by offering track maintenance equipment for the railway industry.
About Advanced Dynamics
Advanced Dynamics specializes in engineering, designing, and manufacturing heavy-duty material handling systems for a global customer base. Founded in 1965, Advanced Dynamics is a leading supplier of heavy material handling systems for the paper and metal industries. Its mission is to design and manufacture heavy-duty materials handling systems for its clients that effectively fulfil their specific production requirements.
For more information
Camille Riverin
(418) 717-2403
criverin@tactconseil.ca