Unifrax I LLC recently announced it had acquired three leading North American vacuum forming businesses: Refractory Specialties Inc. (RSI), Specialty Ceramics Inc. (SCI) and VacuForm Inc. (VFI). The three businesses specialize in the development, manufacture and sale of fiber-based, value-add shapes used in applications in both the Industrial and Hearth Products markets. RSI and VFI are located in Sebring, Ohio, and SCI is located in Columbiana, Ohio. The three businesses employ approximately 140 employees who will be joining the Unifrax North American team.

“These three businesses have a great reputation, a proud heritage and excellent people,” said David E. Brooks, president and CEO of Unifrax. “We have been a supplier to them for many years, know them very well and respect their capabilities. They each bring a product offering and technology that will make us a stronger business. These acquisitions represent another positive step in the continued implementation of the Unifrax long-term growth strategy.”

Richard Wilk, who heads RSI and SCI, and Michael Hubbs, a principal of VFI, will stay with the acquired businesses and continue to lead the implementation of their respective growth initiatives, as well as the integration of the businesses into Unifrax North American operations.

For more information, visit www.unifrax.com.