Victaulic acquires Utah steel foundry

Jun 12, 2023

Victaulic, the Forks Township-based mechanical pipe joining manufacturer, announced Wednesday that it has acquired a Utah steel foundry.

Horizon Metals Inc., which is located in Nephi, is a family-owned and -operated business that produces casings used in the nuclear and North Sea oil industries.

The purchase price was not disclosed. A company spokesperson said in an email that the acquisition will support the company's growth in the infrastructure and waterworks market, increasing capacity for large-diameter solutions.

Victaulic continues its steady growth. It purchased Tennessee Metal Fabricating Corp. last September. Horizon will be Victaulic's fifth foundry in North America and fourth in the U.S.

In a press release, Victaulic said the acquisition "supports the company's growth in the infrastructure and waterworks market by increasing capacity for large-diameter piping solutions, and is aligned with the strategy to manufacture these products in the United States."

The company said it has added more than 1.4 million square feet of foundry and manufacturing capacity in North America since 2011.

"A major aspect of Victaulic's business strategy has always been to manufacture products in close proximity to our customers," said Rick Bucher, Victaulic president and CEO, in a statement. "Like our Tennessee Metal Fabricating Corporation acquisition last year, the purchase of Horizon Metals demonstrates our continuous commitment to this strategy by expanding our growth and service capabilities to our valued North American customers."

Besides its headquarters and plant in Forks, Victaulic employs more then 1,200 in the Lehigh Valley and also has facilities in Alburtis and Lower Nazareth Township. Worldwide, Victaulic has 15 manufacturing facilities, 30 distribution hubs and about 4,500 employees.

The privately owned company makes pipe couplings, along with fittings, joints, valves and similar products for commercial plumbing, heating and cooling systems, as well as fire sprinklers. The products are also used in industrial applications such as power generation, shipbuilding and wastewater treatment.

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