An international technology group recently signed a contract to acquire a Pittsburgh-area family-owned company that manufactures a wide range of shear knives, blades, liners, wear plates, and accessories for the metals producing, processing, and recycling industries.
ANDRITZ, headquartered in Graz, Austria, views the acquisition of ASKO as a complement to its ongoing service offerings for the metals industry.
“The combination of ASKO’s broad line of industrial knives and wear parts, and Andritz’s global position and engineering leadership, reinforces the partners’ strategies to provide advanced technology services and maintenance products to the global metals industry,” said Bill Rackoff, president of ASKO. “Both companies’ business strategies are based on delivering technical solutions that enhance customer value. The result of coordinating with Andritz’s global resources and talented metals team creates expanded opportunities for ASKO’s customers and associates.”
ASKO, headquartered in Homestead, Pennsylvania, and founded in 1933, serves practically all renowned international metals production companies and delivers its products from four locations: Homestead, PA; Rock Hill, SC; South Holland, IL, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company’s announcement states that ASKO will continue to operate as a separate legal entity and the present ASKO management team all remain. Bill Rackoff will continue to serve as President of ASKO and Peter Rackoff as Chief Operating Officer. There are no changes to ASKO operations, channels of sale and distribution, or the employment status of ASKO associates.
Among other offerings, ANDRITZ is a globally leading supplier of services to the metalworking and steel industries.
