Beltservice acquires UBR from holding company

ST. LOUIS—Conveyor belt fabricator/distributor Beltservice Corp. has agreed to acquire Universal Belting Resource L.L.C. from Cumulus Companies Inc., a Merriam, Kan., based holding company.

UBR, which is located in Carmichaels, Pa., is a wholesale distributor and fabricator of lightweight belting. The transaction is effective as of July 31.

Beltservice said the acquisition will enhance its product offering and fabrication capabilities in lightweight belting, which has been a strategic focus area for the company.

"UBR is a great fit because they believe as we do in a sales channel that supports distributors rather than competing with them," Beltservice President Ken Engelsmann said in a news release. "This acquisition is about bringing two great companies together to better serve customers."

Beltservice said UBR will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary "for the foreseeable future," but eventually will come together to "best serve the needs of distribution."

The Carmichaels facility will remain dedicated to PU and PVC products and will be the centerpiece of all future lightweight belting efforts, Beltservice said.

"Beltservice is the correct company to carry on UBR's outstanding history of service to distribution," said Stephen R. Cloud, Chairman of the Board at Cumulus Cos. Inc. "The Beltservice family and entire team operates Beltservice in much the same way Cumulus operates UBR. Just like Beltservice, our family-owned company cares for its employees."

"Everyone at UBR is extremely excited to join the Beltservice team," added UBR president Vernon Smith. "Being part of Beltservice will allow UBR continued growth in the distribution market. Beltservice and UBR share the same focus of supporting distribution and together we will become a better supplier to our customers."