Charter Mfg. purchases Wells Mfg.

Charter Mfg Co., Mequon, Wis., a provider of steel and steel components, has announced it has acquired Dura-Bar and Dura-Bar Metal Services as part of its stock purchase of Illinois-based Wells Mfg. Co. As a result of the acquisition, Charter adds a fourth division focusing on specialty iron bar to its family of companies, which also includes Charter Steel, Charter Wire, and Charter Automotive.

Dura-Bar is a producer of cast-iron barstock, and Dura-Bar Metal Services is a distributor of Dura-Bar products and bronze alloys. Wells Mfg. Co. has about 360 employees at its Dura-Bar facilities in Woodstock, Ill.; York, Pa.; Salisbury, N.C.; and Changzhou, China. There will be no employment or staffing changes for the foreseeable future.