CaneKast and its companies Ermak Foundry & Machining, Patriot Foundry & Castings and RDS Dock Hardware have acquired Superior Aluminum Castings of Independence, Missouri.

“Four years ago we started acquiring nonferrous foundries because we believe in local manufacturing," said Reg Zeller, CaneKast CEO and owner. "We are building a network of facilities that will provide the benefits of a small business yet have state-of-the-art technology typically only found in large conglomerates. Superior is a great fit to help us achieve this vision.”

Superior’s history stretches back nearly 75 years. 

“We are leveraging Superior’s advanced equipment and expertise pouring aluminum alloys to provide our customers further diversification across facilities," said Seth Cutler, president of the companies. "We plan to hire additional employees and start a large-scale training program across our group and update the back-office systems to boost production.”

Ermak serves a wide range of light- to medium-duty manufacturing industries; Patriot customers include the Department of Defense, aerospace, biotech, and electronics industries. Superior adds customers in the metrology, aftermarket automotive, and sensing markets. 

“Being our fifth acquisition, we have a good understanding of how to quickly integrate the new enterprise, utilizing the best practices from the old and new businesses to make all of them better,” Cutler said.

Under the expertise of Superior’s former owner, David Barnhard, CaneKast will grow its regional and national network and expand into new markets. Superior’s customers will have access to additional capacity, heat treat, machining, permanent mold/gravity-fed diecasting, rapid prototyping and improved part development through Ermak’s proprietary product development process.

"Our access to capital and experience adding automation across the enterprise provides building blocks for the future growth of Superior," said Eric Sloan, general manager. "We have a strong foundation from which to scale the companies; nearly 50% of our target customers across the U.S./Canada are within a five-hour drive of one of our foundries. Adding Superior to the mix, we have further secured our companies’ future, having nearly quintupled in four years. As we continue to grow organically and through acquisitions, we are hyper-focused on providing excellent customer service and products, ensuring our growth supports our values.”

CaneKast is privately held and headquartered in Chaska, Minnesota.