Arclin Acquiring WVCO
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor, Railway Age
(Screen Grab from WVCO video)
ALPHARETTA, Ga.- Arclin has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Eugene, Ore.-based Willamette Valley Company (WVCO), which manufactures and distributes custom products and services for the railroad (WVCO Railroad Solutions), transportation, wood and consumer products, concrete repair, and infrastructure markets.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition will add WVCO’s engineered repair systems, specialty adhesives, and infrastructure solutions to the portfolio of Arclin, a materials science company and manufacturer of polymer technologies, engineered products, and specialized materials for the construction, agriculture, transportation infrastructure, weather and fire protection, pharmaceutical, nutrition, electronics, design, and other industries. Eight manufacturing facilities will also be added to Arclin’s 21 offices and manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., and approximately 500 new team members will join Arclin’s existing 1,200-person team, the materials science company reported Dec. 18.
WVCO was founded in 1952, and celebrated in 2024 the 25th anniversary of its Railroad Solutions business unit, which supplies crosstie remediation, dispensing, railcar coating, pavement and bearing pad repair, and bridge-deck waterproofing products (scroll down for video). Among them: SpikeFast®, a remediation product for wood and composite crossties that is said to hold gauge, seal wood and prevent rot, and stop spike kill. This “liquid wood” outperforms wood plugs and air-filled foams in both lateral resistance and pullout resistance in performance tests commissioned by Class I railroads, according to WVCO Railroad Solutions.
“We are thrilled to welcome WVCO to our organization,” Arclin CEO Bradley Bolduc said. “Its innovative technologies and product portfolio perfectly complement our business, creating a beneficial combination for our customers. With a shared commitment to quality across wood products, this acquisition positions us to deliver even greater value and expand opportunities across the segments we serve.”
“The decision to sell WVCO to Arclin represents a natural progression for our business,” noted John Murray, President and CEO of WVCO. “Arclin’s world-class operational framework will accelerate our product innovation and drive sustainable growth. Combining Arclin and WVCO’s deep technical expertise, broad knowledge base and ability to rapidly deploy resources will be instrumental in driving our growth strategy. Joining Arclin is an exciting opportunity for our team and we’re eager to drive the business forward.”
“The acquisition represents a highly strategic move with clear operational efficiencies,” Arclin President Mark Glaspey added. “By combining our capabilities, we will deliver a broader portfolio of solutions to our customers, while expanding geographic reach and unlocking new growth opportunities.”
Further Reading:
- Rail Reinforcers
- Crosstie Tech: What’s New, What’s Next
- REMSA and NRC member Willamette Valley Company hosts U.S. Rep. Letlow on tour of manufacturing facility
- SpikeFast earns praise in UK
