Angle Advisors has announced that Allison Transmission Holdings has acquired Walker Die Casting Inc. and C&R Tool and Engineering Inc. Angle Advisors acted as the exclusive investment banking adviser to both Walker and C&R Tool in completing this transaction.
Headquartered in Lewisburg, Tennessee, Walker is one of North America’s largest independent die casters. Founded in 1958, Walker is a leading Tier I/II designer and manufacturer of cast aluminum products to the heavy truck, automotive, agriculture, construction, marine and medical industries. Walker’s portfolio of large, complex castings, weighing up to 75 pounds, includes transmission cases, bell housings, accessory brackets, transaxle housings, fly wheel covers, and camshaft housings. Totaling more than 750,000 of square feet, Walker’s modern manufacturing operations are outfitted with the latest high-pressure die casting machines, ranging in size from 1,000 to 4,500 tons, and a fleet of vertical and horizontal CNC machining centers.
Headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, C&R Tool is a leading North American designer and manufacturer of complex high-pressure die cast molds serving OEMs and Tier I suppliers. Specializing in large, complex multi-slide large cavity part designs, C&R Tool engineers, builds and tests integrated tooling systems primarily for heavy truck and automotive powertrain component applications.
John Walker, president and son of the founder of Walker Die Casting, commented, “While it is always hard to let go of the business you built, we are proud that it will remain in good hands with Allison Transmission. As a longtime owner of a private business and having never experienced a sale process, I genuinely appreciated Angle’s patient, thoughtful approach in guiding us through the many nuances and complexities associated with a M&A transaction. Angle’s significant die casting and machining experience as well as deep knowledge of our end markets proved invaluable throughout the process from planning and preparation to finding creative solutions to business and accounting issues as they arose along the way.”
“We are delighted to announce the acquisitions of Walker Die Casting and C&R Tool and Engineering,” added Allison Transmission President and CEO David Graziosi. “Walker’s products are a critical component in the manufacture and quality of our on-highway transmissions. We plan to grow the business and continue the heritage established by Robert Walker in 1958.”
