Minnesota Manufacturers Merge

Automated Equipment LLC, a Red Wing, Minn.-based maker of foodservice equipment such as automated French-fry makers and ice-cream-topping dispensers acquired neighboring Acrotech in January.

“We are very excited by the addition of Acrotech to our product family. The focus on tools for safety, quality and productivity improvements fit right into our core competencies,” stated Richard Bodensteiner, one of Automated’s four owners, in announcing the deal.

Acrotech, which makes assembly equipment for product manufacturing, complements Automated’s Elektro Assemblies, which manufactures wire harnesses used in the products. Automated Equipment bought Elektro Assemblies in 2008.