W.H. Smith Company, a manufacturer and supplier of high quality hose assemblies and systems as well as load securing and material handling products for the U.S. Department of Defense and the commercial marketplace, completed the acquisition of certain intellectual property and related assets from LaBarge Products, Inc.
Based in St. Louis, Mo., LaBarge designed and manufactured critical systems and components for expeditionary military operations.
Under the terms of the acquisition W.H. Smith acquired certain proprietary drawings, tooling and related fixtures required for manufacturing critical systems and components. The systems acquired include:
- Marine Corps Hose Reel System (HRS)
- Army Assault Hoseline System (AHS)
- Rapidly Installed Fuel Transfer System (RIFTS)
- 350 GPM trailer mounted pump system
- 600 GPM trailer mounted pump system
- Army Combat Ballistic Shield (CBS) Kits
- Army Flatracks (Forward Repair Station)
- Camel (800 gallon water trailer)
- 463L Cargo Pallets
Additionally, W.H. Smith acquired the use of the LaBarge Products trade name, phone and fax numbers and domain site www.labargepro.com. LaBarge Products will be established as a division under W.H. Smith.
“This acquisition is important as it significantly increases the capabilities of W.H. Smith and further expands our efforts to provide full systems to the U.S. Armed Forces and Allied Nations,” said Eric Jenkusky, director of business development for W.H. Smith. “Furthermore, the acquisition provides us with valuable intellectual property that can be modified for use in commercial industries, particularly the Utica and Marcellus Shale oil and gas exploration marketplace.”
W.H. Smith, based in Parkersburg, W.Va., has a proud legacy, dating back more than 135 years to its founding in 1874. W.H. Smith was acquired by JWI Capital, LLC, a Cleveland, Ohio,- based private equity fund, in April 2010 to serve as a platform to build and acquire other defense related industries.
