The acquisition expands TPC’s capabilities in electroformed metal manufacturing.
CHICAGO—The Partner Companies (TPC), a U.S.-based advanced manufacturing company, announced in July that it acquired Precision Eforming, a Cortland, New York-based manufacturer of precision electroformed metal parts. The acquisition is reported to enhance TPC’s capabilities in micro-component manufacturing, while expanding access to high-growth end markets such as aerospace, medical, defense, electronics, and energy.
Precision Eforming specializes in sieve and mesh products for applications in which precise control, repeatability, and versatility are critical. The metal components are used in applications that separate and filter light, sound, air, or powdered materials, according to a release from TPC.
“With a legacy spanning more than a century, Precision Eforming brings unmatched expertise in 2D electroforming and long-standing customer relationships across more than 60 industries,” said Christian Streu, chief financial officer of The Partner Companies, in a statement. “This addition is an ideal fit with TPC’s long-term growth strategy to expand our complementary manufacturing capabilities to best serve our customers’ needs, while also shaping the future of manufacturing.”
The acquisition, TPC’s 11th since its founding in 1997, is said to demonstrate the company’s strategy of steady expansion in specialty manufacturing. The Partner Companies operates facilities across the United States, China, Mexico, and Wales.
Precision Eforming’s core capabilities center on electroforming—an additive manufacturing process that builds high-precision metal parts via electrodeposition. The company’s proprietary techniques are said to enable development of ultra-fine mesh products with precise features, tight tolerances, and high reproducibility. These products are used in critical applications from medical imaging and space exploration, to super abrasives and fuel filtration. According to TPC, Precision Eforming pioneered this now well-established process for manufacturing precision electroformed mesh.
Precision Eforming’s roots date back to 1907, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the photo-engraving company Buckbee-Mears Company.
“For decades, Buckbee-Mears was a world leader in metal etching,” the release stated. “During World War II, the company advanced photochemical reproduction technology to support the U.S. military, most notably by developing etched grids for military eyepieces. In the 1960s, it became an early adopter of electroforming techniques to enhance photoetching processes, enabling it to serve the rapidly growing television electronics industry.”
The electroforming division relocated to Cortland in 2002, marking a new chapter in its legacy. In partnership with investment firm Torridon Companies, the division was acquired and rebranded as Precision Eforming in 2004. A year later, ownership transitioned to Julie Griffin, who has served as president since 2011 and will remain with the company through the transition, the release stated.
“Joining forces with TPC marks an exciting new chapter for Precision Eforming to accelerate innovation, expand into new markets, and continue delivering the precision and reliability our customers expect,” Griffin said in a statement. “With TPC, Precision Eforming will have the resources it needs to continue to grow and evolve.”
The Partner Companies is a global, diversified manufacturing company that creates mission-critical parts for innovators in the aerospace, defense, clean energy, medical, and technology industries. Founded in 2010, TPC comprises 11 specialty manufacturers in the United States, China, Wales, and Mexico: E-Fab, Elcon, Fotofab, Lattice Materials, L&T Precision, Microphoto, Optiforms, PEI, Pinnacle Precision, Precision Eforming, and UPG.
The company’s specialty manufacturers specialize in photochemical etching, ceramic metallization, crystal growth, and electroforming, along with core manufacturing capabilities such as injection molding, machining, metal fabrication, and finishing.