Calder Capital, LLC is pleased to announce that Walerko Tool & Engineering Corporation of Elkhart, Indiana has been acquired by Mno-DREK, LLC, of Dowagiac, Michigan!
Mno-DREK is a holding company of manufacturing businesses, formed by Mno-Bmadsen and DREK Holdings. Walerko Tool and Engineering Corp. makes for a strategic addition to the Mno-DREK portfolio.
Established in 1952 by the Walerko family, Walerko Tool & Engineering is a family business that has passed through generations with over 60 years in business. Walerko offers a wide range of services, including CNC machining and castings, weldment, piece parts, prototype parts, fixtures, and gages. Due to its broad service offerings, the Company attracts customers from many different industries, including aerospace, construction equipment, press and automation, pumps manufacturing, automotive, and others.
Ed Walerko became the sole owner of the Company in 2008 when he bought out his father and siblings’ shares. Having been involved in the Company since his youth, and operating it for over a decade, Ed sought to sell the business in order to retire. He engaged with Calder Capital, LLC, to find the right buyer for his family’s long-standing business. Rick Purcey, Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor at Calder Capital, LLC, served as the lead advisor on the deal.
“It has been quite the journey getting to this point,” remarked Ed Walerko, about the transaction. “Many setbacks, frustrations, and hurdles to overcome. In the end, dogged perseverance, determination, and a broker who wouldn’t quit prevailed. Thank you so much to Rick, Max, and Calder Capital, for your efforts, time, advice, and even a little humor when things got a little testy. You were a broker, psychologist, strategist all wrapped up in one.”
“With the acquisition of Walerko, we have expanded our base of companies dedicated to precision machining services of highly complex parts and components,” said Eric Karaman, Chief Operating Officer of Mno-DREK. “We look forward to seamlessly integrating the business into our family of companies and capitalizing on the core competencies established by their dedicated team of manufacturing specialists.”
Calder Capital, LLC, was the exclusive Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor to Walerko Tool & Engineering Corporation.
About Mno-DREK, LLC
Mno-DREK was formed in 2018 as a joint venture between DREK Holdings and Mno-Bmadsen. Mno-Bmadsen is the non-gaming investment arm of The Pokagon Band of The Potawatomi Tribe. Mno-DREK’s initial holdings are Accu-Mold LLC of Portage, MI which was initially owned by Mno-Bmadsen; and Michiana Global Mold of Mishawaka, IN which was initially owned by Razzano and Karaman.
About Walerko Tool & Engineering Corporation
Edward F. Walerko started his business machining experimental parts and tooling for Bendix Aerospace, in 1952. At that time, Edward Walerko (Senior) was operating the Company out of his garage. The company grew as a traditional tool and die business through the 1950s. The Company’s dedicated teammates have worn many hats and seen the Company grow over the decades. Over its two generations running, Walerko Tool & Engineering has developed its broad services and diverse customer base through its willingness to develop efficient and high-quality solutions regardless of the complexity or type of project.
