Dearborn Mid-West acquires systems integrator W&H Systems

Dearborn Mid-West Co. has acquired the material handling systems integrator W&H Systems Inc., of Carlstadt, N.J., forming a combined organization called DMW&H that will focus on serving the industrial, food and beverage, wine and spirits, and retail industries.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Existing clients of both firms will gain increased expertise in material handling solutions, the companies said, as the blended corporations form a "powerhouse" capable of delivering solutions to midlevel retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. Dearborn sells material handling design, integration, and installation services for the automotive, industrial, unit material handling, and construction industries.

W&H Systems will complement that portfolio with its experience selling a wide range of warehouse automation platforms such as AS/RS, conveyors, and sortation systems, as well as warehouse control system (WCS) software and consulting services.

The new DMW&H will be led by Joe Colletti, formerly the president of Taylor, Mich.-based Dearborn's material handling systems division, while 24-year W&H veteran Ken Knapp will become COO of the new corporation, responsible for developing vertical services to customers.

Former W&H president Don Betman announced his retirement as of Dec. 1.

The move is the latest step in a series of corporate maneuvers for Dearborn Mid-West, which began its current form when Dearborn Automotive Conveyors merged with Mid-West Conveyor in 1995. The combined Dearborn Mid-West was then acquired by Knox Lawrence International and Falcon Investment Advisors in 2007.