Franklin's Grimmer Industries to be sold to Swedish firm

Daily Journal of Johnson County

A family-owned company that has operated in Franklin for 36 years is being sold.

Grimmer Industries Inc. announced this morning it plans to sell its Franklin-based operations to Atlas Copco North America LLC.

Atlas Copco, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, intends to remain in Franklin, according to a news release. About 90 people work at Grimmer on Hurricane Road.

Newly formed Atlas Copco Hurricane LLC will acquire the assets. A sale price was not disclosed.

With the acquisition, Atlas Copco will meet the growing demand for high-pressure products used in the oil and gas industries, a news release said.

Founded by John Grimmer Sr. in Texas 40 years ago, Grimmer Industries moved to Franklin in 1972.

The company, doing business as Grimmer Schmidt Compressors and Hurricane Compressors, manufacture and sell a variety of compressor products ranging from towed portable construction compressors, to large skid mounted high pressure booster compressors powered by diesel engines of 600 or more horse power.

"We weren't for sale when Atlas Copco approached us," Grimmer said in a news release. "But the more we looked into the size, strength and reputation of Atlas Copco it became clear that they were the best choice for the company to compete in the global compressor market in the future. For the sake of our customers and employees, we could not let the opportunity to align with Atlas Copco pass by."

John Grimmer and his family also own and will retain ANGI International, located in Milton, Wis. ANGI specializes in equipment for compressed natural gas as a vehicle fuel.

Atlas Copco products and services range from compressed air and gas equipment, generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems, to related aftermarket and rental.

In 2007, Atlas Copco had 33,000 employees.