The owner, ready to retire, was courted by several potential buyers. With the deal, Portland’s entire staff and location were retained, with hiring expected.
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With its owner getting ready to retire, Industrial Automation Supply, an electrical controls and automation components distributor based in Portland, was acquired by Bensalem, Pa.-based Airline Hydraulics Corp.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Our owner, Chris LeBel, decided to retire, and although he was courted by several potential buyers, Airline was by far the closest to a shared vision with IAS,” a spokesperson of the Portland company told Mainebiz.
“They aligned nearly perfectly, with their outlook toward their staff as well as customer service and, for Chris, the decision was a no-brainer. Our entire staff of 29 has been retained to continue serving our customers here in Maine and New England with no turnover or hiccups.”
Industrial Automation
Founded in 1993, Industrial Automation Supply serves original equipment manufacturers and contract manufacturers in New England. Starting as a three-person distributorship, it grew to nearly 30 employees, including applications engineers and inside and traveling sales staff. It started a systems group in 2017; the division helps customers with product design and installation of systems.
It’s been at 75–77 Industrial Way in Portland since 2006 and doubled the size of its lease there in 2023.
About Airline Hydraulics
Founded in 1949, Airline Hydraulics is an employee-owned industrial technology provider serving the eastern U.S. The company supplies hydraulics, pneumatics and automation solutions supported by hands-on engineering and service expertise. Airline maintains more than $37 million in inventory.
Additional locations are in Lancaster, N.Y.; York, Pa.; North Kingston, R.I.; and Spartanburg, S.C.
The acquisition strengthens Airline’s footprint across New England and represents an important step in expanding its controls-focused capabilities, according to a news release.
“Adding IAS meaningfully rounds out our business in New England,” said Mark Steffens, Airline’s CEO.
10 hires
Airline will continue to operate the former IAS headquarters location in Portland as an IAS division of Airline, maintaining the IAS brand and local presence during the transition.
The additional location significantly expands Airline’s operational capabilities in New England, adding 6,000 square feet of value-added services, distribution and production space that nearly doubles Airline’s footprint in the region. The company said it plans to add 10 positions to the Portland division.
“Their strong reputation, commitment to customer service, technical expertise and shared culture align perfectly with our values,” said LeBel.
