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Vulcan Sells Richards Engineering to Omega

Oct. 2, 2008
Strategic focus is on general foundry projects, casting handling, metal finishing, robotics, automation, and lost foam

Vulcan Engineering Co. is selling its wholly owned subsidiary Richards Engineering Inc. to Omega Foundry Machinery Ltd, Peterborough, England. Richards is a developer and supplier of mechanical and thermal foundry-sand reclamation systems, sand mixers, sand molding lines, core machines, and fettling equipment.

The value of the sale has not been released.

The Helena, AL-based engineering and equipment group explains that selling the Richards subsidiary is “in line with Vulcan’s strategic plan to focus globally on the core business of general foundry projects, along with specific equipment lines focused on casting handling, metal finishing, robotics, automation, and lost foam (systems).” Vulcan adds that its Vulcan Europe Inc. subsidiary will maintain production, sales, and service for Vulcan products in Leicester, England, to serve and support European customers.

Omega Foundry Machinery engineers and builds equipment for no-bake foundry operations, including sand mixing machinery, mold handling system, reclamation systems, and coremaking machines. It also handles turnkey design/engineer/construction project. It is acquiring all of the Richards assets, including the manufacturing facility, according to a Vulcan release.

According to a statement by Omega chairman Mark Fenyes, the new Richards Engineering Ltd. will honor existing agreements and manufacturing licenses, and the Omega and Richards agents will continue to represent their respective brands.

“As part of the assets we have also acquired the intellectual property and manufacturing rights for the Fordath range of equipment,” Fenyes stated, “and it is my intention to resurrect certain product ranges that fall under this banner as I believe it will be a benefit to us in certain markets.” “Fordath” is a line of mixers, shell core and shell molding machinery, and shell-sand coating plants.

Vulcan states it will retain access to the Richards product lines through an OEM agreement. Current users of Vulcan Engineering’s reclamation equipment “will continue to receive fully backed parts and service support.”