Mechanical Inc. purchases Norstar Mechanical

Freeport, Ill.-based Mechanical Inc., a mechanical contracting firm, has entered the sheet metal business by purchasing the commercial division of Norstar Mechanical, Rockford, Ill.

"Expanding a company's line of services in a down market allows more opportunities to do business by providing more services," said Brian Helm, president of Mechanical, Inc. This 'one-stop shopping' concept, he added, offers greater convenience for potential customers.

"Our primary reason for entering the sheet metal business is that an increasing number of owners and construction managers, particularly on high-risk and design-build projects, expect one firm to have responsibility for all the mechanical trade work," Helm said.

Mechanical Inc. has teamed up with Norstar on numerous projects throughout Norstar's 14-year history, Helm stated, so the fit to become one company was an easy transition. Mechanical Inc. also will be hiring as a result of the acquisition.

Mechanical Inc. and Norstar share many of the same customers and perform the majority of their work in the Chicagoland, Rockford, and southeastern Wisconsin areas.

The acquisition of Norstar will increase the number of services that can be provided for green building projects, Helm noted. Annual revenue for Mechanical after the acquisition is expected to approach $200 million.

In addition to commercial HVAC sheet metal fabrication and installation, Norstar also has an architectural sheet metal division that performs architectural and metal roofing scopes. Norstar Heating and Cooling, Inc. will continue to operate as a residential HVAC construction and service company under separate ownership from Mechanical Inc. All non-residential sheet metal work will operate under the Mechanical Inc. name.

Founded in 1968, Mechanical Inc. has offices in Freeport, Ill.; Hillside, Ill.; Fox Lake, Ill.; Waukesha, Wis.; Gary, Ind.; and now Rockford, Ill. For more information, visit www.mechinc.com.