Marlin Steel Wire Products buys Franklin Display Group

Marlin Steel Wire Products has acquired Franklin Display Group, bringing the Belvidere, Illinois, display-rack maker into the Marlin and Madsen family of companies. The deal expands Marlin’s manufacturing capabilities and keeps Franklin President Bob Berleth in place to lead the team.

Why it matters: - The acquisition adds Franklin Display Group’s display-rack expertise to Marlin Steel Wire Products’ broader manufacturing platform. - Marlin says the deal expands resources, market reach and reinvestment in American manufacturing. - The combined company can now offer customers more planning, engineering, fabrication, finishing, assembly and logistics capabilities.

What happened: - Marlin Steel Wire Products acquired Franklin Display Group, a company founded in 1978 in Belvidere, Illinois. - Franklin Display Group has joined the Marlin and Madsen family of companies. - Franklin President Bob Berleth will remain in place to continue leading the team. - Don Mutert Jr., who spent 43 years with Franklin, is retiring.

The details: - Franklin Display Group makes tube, wire and sheet metal racks for retail displays. - The company has worked with national beverage brands and golf equipment brands. - Franklin’s service model includes planning and design, engineering and prototyping, manufacturing, materials and finishing, assembly and logistics. - Franklin operates two Belvidere facilities about a mile apart. - The company has 100 employees and more than 210,000 square feet of manufacturing space. - Franklin’s equipment includes 3 flat lasers, a CNC tube laser, tube bending, a powder coating line and Schlatter mesh welders. - Franklin says it has gone more than 600 consecutive days without a lost-time safety incident. - Berleth has 30 years of senior executive leadership experience in manufacturing.

Between the lines: - The deal gives Marlin a bigger footprint in custom retail display manufacturing. - Franklin brings an established operation, experienced leadership and a safety record that Marlin can highlight in customer pitches. - The acquisition also keeps the Franklin name’s legacy tied to American manufacturing under a larger corporate umbrella.

What's next: - Marlin and Franklin plan to combine capabilities for customers across both businesses. - The companies are directing interested customers to Marlin’s website for more information. - Marlin is also promoting its social channels on LinkedIn and YouTube.

The bottom line: - Marlin gains a specialized display-manufacturing business, while Franklin gets access to a larger industrial platform and customer base.