United Stars Acquires Third Gear Producer

United Stars Inc. has acquired Precision Gears Inc., a nearly 100-year old producer of custom gears for agriculture, power transmission and industrial applications. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Located in a 67,000 sq. ft. facility in Pewaukee, Wis., Precision Gears manufactures gears of all shapes and sizes cut from steel, brass, bronze and others. Its in-house capabilities include turning, milling, hobbing, grinding and assembly.

“Precision Gears is an excellent addition to the United Stars family in a number of ways,” said Van Lanen, president and COO of United Stars, Beloit, Wis.  “Not only does it extend our gear manufacturing capabilities and applications footprint, it also offers great synergies with our other businesses for certain key customers and end markets. Above all else, Precision Gears is known for their outstanding quality and overall customer-centric approach, which makes them a perfect fit with the rest of our portfolio.  We are very excited about their future potential and look forward to leveraging United Stars extensive corporate resources to help fuel their growth.”

Precision Gears becomes United Stars’ third gear manufacturer, joining United Gear & Assembly, Hudson, Wis., acquired in 1996; and Gear Tec, Willoughby, Ohio, acquired in 2007. United Stars said it plans to further extend and enhance Precision Gears capabilities through select gear manufacturing equipment investments.

Former Precision Gears owners Eric and Carl Geraldson will continue with the company in leadership roles, said United Stars.