Edgewater Automation adds fabrication division

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, April 10, 2014

Edgewater Automation has purchased the assets of the fabrication division of Vickers Engineering, including a 44,000-square-foot plant in Buchanan.

The acquisition will allow Edgewater Automation to expand its manufacturing capabilities as the company continues to grow. There currently are five employees at the Buchanan facility and Edgewater is recruiting 12 more. Right now, the company has 96 employees across its four locations.

Edgewater Automation originally moved into its 10,000-square-foot facility in St. Joseph in 2001, expanded to 24,000-square-feet in 2004, and added another 15,000 square feet in 2007. It built a 5,000-square-foot addition in 2013 for a total of 44,000 square feet. Edgewater Automation also purchased a 45,000 square foot facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2013 to better serve customers in the Southeast region.

Vickers Engineering was instrumental in providing Edgewater Automation with equipment, know-how, and space for the latest expansion. Edgewater has put in place a team to provide complete fabrication and manufacturing capabilities in Buchanan.

“This was a big step for our company, and feel this will be a perfect fit for our new operations,” says Rick Blake, founder and president of Edgewater Automation.

Vickers Engineering was instrumental in providing Edgewater Automation with equipment, know-how, and space for the new expansion.

Vickers Engineering officials says the moves allows them to focus on precision machining. “It’s a win for all parties: Vickers, Edgewater, and the city Buchanan,” says Matt Tyler, president of Vickers Engineering.

Cars started Edgewater Automation on its road to success, but Edgewater has turned to other areas to grow and thrive. Medical devices, solar and alternative energy and batteries have all been growth areas for the company that has been featured three times on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America.

Source: Seth Vander Ark, Edgewater Automation