Graco makes new acquisitions in time for 2014

Industrial sprayer and pump manufacturer Graco completed two acquisitions in December that will add to its groundwater and landfill fluid-management capabilities, say company officials.

QED Environmental Systems, a Michigan-based pump maker that specialises in removing groundwater, managing landfill liquids and gases, and removing chemicals from ground or drinking water, is one of the new acquisitions.

Graco also purchased EcoQuip, a firm that makes abrasive blasting systems. The machinery is used to remove paint and other coatings from ships, oil rigs, storage tanks and automobiles, and the technology is considered to be an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sand blasting.

Combined sales for QED and EcoQuip were about $30 million last year.

Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.