Industry Pulse: Recent Manufacturing Acquisitions From WorkFar Robotics, Mastercam, GLE Scrap Metal, and More

Welcome back to our regular look at who's buying who in the manufacturing equipment world. We've rounded up the latest deals that matter to your business—from major industry shakeups to smaller strategic moves.

Keeping tabs on these acquisitions helps you stay ahead of the curve—whether you're wondering about future product lines, service changes, or where prices might be heading. So grab your coffee and let's dive into the latest manufacturing acquisitions and what they mean for your equipment decisions.

GLE Scrap Metal Acquires Interest in Mallin Companies

Two family-owned and operated companies are forming a partnership to grow and expand Mallin Companies, a 96-year-old 4th-generation family business operating two aluminum wire recycling lines in Kansas City, MO.

GLE Scrap Metal is a 20-year-old first-generation family business operating six full-service metal recycling centers in Michigan and Florida, a brokerage and trading division, an insulated copper wire recycling plant, and an R2-certified electronics recycling firm, Great Lakes Electronics Corporation.

GLE acquired an interest in Mallin Companies which is effective December 31, 2024. Mallin's operations will remain in Kansas City, MO, and will retain its existing leadership and employees.

Mallin Companies will continue to be operated by its President, Zach Mallin, and will have the full support of GLE Scrap Metal and its affiliates. GLE and Mallin have built a wonderful working relationship over many years, have similar values, and share a passion for growth in the recycling industry. The new partnership will allow Mallin Companies to achieve synergies to stay competitive and continue its leadership in insulated aluminum, ACSR, and URD processing. This partnership will allow Mallin to best serve its team members, its customers, and its consumers' needs into the future.

Zach Mallin and the Zack family wish to thank Jeffrey Mallin and the Mallin family for this opportunity and are committed to continuing the strong legacy they have established.

Securitas Technology Acquires Sonitrol New Orleans

Securitas Technology, a provider of security, health, and safety technologies, has acquired Sonitrol of New Orleans to better serve clients across North America. This acquisition strengthens Securitas' position as one of the largest providers of Sonitrol solutions in North America.

Sonitrol of New Orleans is known for its expertise and pioneering Sonitrol audio sensor technology, which has now joined the Securitas portfolio. Its legacy dates back over 60 years, with achievements such as reducing false alarms and enhancing verified responses. Together, Securitas Technology and Sonitrol New Orleans will combine their expertise to leverage advanced security technology for clients in North America.

WorkFar Robotics Advances Humanoid Robot Adoption Through Acquisitions

In an effort to increase the adoption of humanoid robot technology across the globe, WorkFar Robotics, the Collaborative Robot Company and a pioneer in the field of humanoid robotics, is teaming up with industry chiefs through mergers and acquisitions.

In a different way of doing things, the start-up is hungry to acquire other companies rather than let itself be acquired. So far, the company has been able to put together a market-ready, mass-produceable product without receiving venture capital which is fairly unheard of in the space.

Instead of growing organically to get its products across the globe, WorkFar's team has and continues to acquire well-established companies that already have significant operations. WorkFar is currently in talks with companies to leverage their existing brand recognition and global manufacturing, distribution, sales, and marketing operations.

Strong acquisition targets for WorkFar Robotics are established corporations with existing brand recognition, deep technological expertise in robotics and AI, and a skilled workforce ready to scale production. Ideals targets also have dependable manufacturing and R&D capabilities, as well as proven marketing, sales, and distribution channels to accelerate this global deployment. By leveraging these existing foundations, WorkFar can rapidly expand its operations and drive the widespread deployment of humanoid robots all across the globe in record time.

WorkFar is stepping up its efforts to proliferate its humanoids throughout the world within the next five years due to the ever-increasing advances in AI. As the robots' hardware and algorithms continue to evolve, the tasks for which they are suited will expand rapidly.

WorkFar's business model is a complete "robot-as-a-service" solution that lets companies lease the robot and a trained operator on a monthly basis. The combined cost of the human-robot team comes at just a fraction of the cost of other humanoid robots, reducing labor expenses and increasing facility throughput.

Mastercam Acquires FASTech

Sandvik, the owner of Mastercam, has acquired the American company FASTech, which will be integrated into part of Mastercam, serving customers in Ohio and eastern Kentucky.