Burner Systems International, a Chattanooga manufacturer of gas burner systems, is now under the ownership of Illinois-based Robertshaw - and nothing but the name on the side of the building is going to change, officials said Thursday.
Robertshaw, a global designer and manufacturer of commercial and residential appliances, announced Thursday it has purchased Burner Systems International for an undisclosed amount. BSI, which was started in 1960 and owned for the past four years by the New York equity firm of Aterian Investment Partners, will become a part of Robertshaw's engineering and manufacturing portfolio.
The purchase marks the first for Robertshaw as a private company.
"We're very excited about finding someone like Burner Systems to marry to our product portfolio," said Kathy Maynard, director of communications at Robertshaw.
Robertshaw operates four engineering centers and 11 manufacturing plants, including its newly-acquired Chattanooga facilities. And counting about 860 Burner Systems employees, Robertshaw now employs around 5,800 people in 11 countries. The company also operated seven distribution centers.
Maynard said the acquisition made sense, because Robertshaw and BSI each specialize in manufacturing parts and pieces for the same types of appliances and machines, often crafting components complementary to one another.
Robertshaw specializes in making control parts and pieces for appliances, including washers and dryers, refrigerators and other kitchen appliances.
Burner Systems, meanwhile, specializes in making many of the appliance parts users actually touch and use. The company manufacturers burner systems at its plants in Lookout Valley in Chattanooga, in Calaya, Mexico, and in Bedford, England.
Eric Griesemer, CEO of Burner Systems, said Aterian had provided the business "unwavering support and investment" since 2012 to help grow the business into the North American market leader in gas components. Griesemer said he looks forward to continued success with Robertshaw "as we enter the next phase of our growth strategy."
Maynard said Thursday only the name under which the Chattanooga facility operates will change due to the acquisition.
"So by putting the two together, that's how you get a system or a company that can deliver a comprehensive portfolio of gas delivery products and systems for not only the appliances, but also for the commercial (original equipment manufacturers)," said Maynard.
Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.