Global company buys Menges Roller in Wauconda

An Oklahoma City company has bought Menges Roller Co. in Wauconda, a move that will enable the Lake County family business to continue to grow, the owners said Friday.

Maxcess International, a manufacturer for the web handling industry, acquired Menges Roller Co., a firm that makes large rollers for the packaging, converting, web handling and steel processing industries.

Menges will join Valley Roller, Webex, Fife, Tidland and MAGPOWR under the Bertram Capital-owned Maxcess umbrella.

Menges is a three-generation, family-owned company with more than 50 years of experience in the roller business, including advanced capabilities in chill rollers, heat transfer rollers and rubber rollers, as well as service and support. "Adding our precision roll business to the Maxcess family is an ideal fit," said Matt Menges, president of Menges Roller Company. "After decades of being in the industry, I have seen Maxcess evolve into the market leader it is today. Maxcess' comprehensive product offering, in combination with our precision rolls, will allow us to add value to our combined customer base as an integrated supplier with an expanded box of tools to help solve their web handling challenges."

Menges was in the process of doubling its manufacturing space when approached to sell, said Matt Menges, who will stay on as an adviser and shareholder after the acquisition is complete. The 30 employees in Wauconda will also stay, Menges said. "We will have a much larger platform for the future," he said. "Sometimes a family only has so much money for growth," he said.

He added that the $2 million warehouse expansion, supported without any debt from the family, is a sizable investment and that the forecast for the business, which is very profitable, requires additional resources to continue growing. Charlie Menges, who represents the third generation of ownership, will continue as director of sales and marketing once the merger takes place.

"We are excited to partner with the Menges family and management team to continue building upon the success they have achieved over the past five decades," said Tim Heston, principal at Bertram Capital.

"The acquisition of a storied brand like Menges Roller Company adds tremendous value to our family of web handling companies," said Maxcess CEO Greg Jehlik. "The breadth and depth of their product offering will complement our Webex and Valley Roller brands, further expanding the one-stop-shop advantage we bring to our customers."