ELKHART, Ind.—Global Products L.L.C. has acquired a division of Greensboro, N.C.-based Diesel Equipment Co. called Wiper Technologies, which has supplied custom windshield wiper systems to the RV, marine, bus and specialty vehicle markets for more than 25 years.
Launched in 2019, Elkhart-based Global Products was started specifically for this deal and will begin to expand its product offering through additional acquisitions and industry relationships, according to founder and CEO Braden McCormick.
To get started, Global Products acquired Wiper Technologies, which has its own brand identity, customer base and product line, along with an assembly plant in Greensboro.
"We assemble engineered systems, including brackets, motors, linkage, arms and blades," McCormick said in an email. "Our systems are designed for transportation vehicles that are built 'from the ground up,' rather than from a chassis that is produced in Detroit."
The wiper systems are used for diesel and gas Class A RVs, school and transportation buses, and yachts.
Terms of the transaction weren't disclosed.
Wiper Technologies has eight employees, and all will be retained, McCormick said.
"At this point, all of our customers are still producing, and are still busy," he said. "Production rates will most likely decrease in the coming weeks, but retail demand remains strong."
The market outlook for the RV market has its bright spots amidst the global pandemic declared March 11. McCormick pointed to the health and safety benefits of traveling and staying in a private place with destinations often to places where nature abounds and social distancing is easy.
"The RV Industry Association has a stronger outlook than initially forecast due to the ease of RV travel, and being outdoors," McCormick said.