Avis Industrial Corp. acquires Harris

Avis Industrial Corp., a privately held company based in Upland, Ind., with nine subsidiaries throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, has acquired The Harris Waste Management Group Inc., based in Georgia.

Harris, a manufacturer of ferrous and nonferrous processing equipment, has been providing equipment to the recycling industry for more than 100 years. Its manufacturing facilities are in Baxley and Cordele, Ga., with additional engineering and sales offices in San Antonio and the United Kingdom. The company’s products include balers, shears and auto shredders.  

Leland Boren, chairman, president and CEO of Avis Industrial, says, “The Harris name has a strong legacy in the recycling industry, and we want to build on that tradition by manufacturing quality products, offering exceptional customer service, while at the same time focusing on innovation and new product development.”  

Boren says he anticipates no immediate changes at Harris or to the company’s distributor network.  

Baling equipment manufacturer American Baler, Bellevue, Ohio, has been a subsidiary of Avis since 1979. With the acquisition of Harris, Boren says, “this is an ideal time to find synergies and capitalize on the combined strength of both companies in the baler industry.”

Kenneth Galason, president of Harris, adds, “We are excited to be joining the Avis Industrial Corp. group of companies. The leadership at Avis has vast experience in manufacturing, which we believe will only add to the success of Harris going forward.”

Avis Industrial Corp. is the parent company of nine wholly owned subsidiaries: AI International, Louisville, Ky.; American Baler Co.; Crankshaft Machine Co., Jackson, Mich.; CUMSA Corp., Matamoros, Mexico; Edgerton Forge Inc., Edgerton, Ohio; James Steel & Tube Co., Madison Heights, Mich.; Pacific Forge Inc., Fontana, Calif.; Peninsular Cylinder Co. Inc., Roseville, Mich.; and Sellick Equipment, Harrow, Ontario.