Deal Timeline

Plotted by close date where disclosed, otherwise announcement. Select any marker to jump to the deal entry.

The Rationale That Repeats.

Three patterns show up across MUELLER's deal book — what the team buys, how it pays, and how it integrates. The patterns are the throughline; the deals below are the evidence.

01
Acquisition criteria
Bolt-ons that extend the copper and brass core.
Mueller's deal book is dominated by tuck-ins that deepen its metals franchise — Great Lakes Copper's mill ("a great complement to our global piping platform"), Howell Metal's copper tube, Extruded Metals' brass rod, and Elkhart's copper solder fittings. Each one slots into an existing segment rather than launching a new business line.
Nehring Electrical Works CompanyElkhart Products CorporationATCO Rubber ProductsDie-Mold Tool LimitedJungwoo Metal Ind. Co., Ltd (60% interest)
02
Capital deployment
Adjacent expansion into climate and HVAC airflow.
Beyond raw copper, Mueller has repeatedly bought into the HVAC and refrigeration value chain — ATCO Rubber Products ($162.8M) and the Hart & Cooley flexible duct business in insulated flex duct, Shoals Tubular in brazed manifolds and headers, and Sherwood Valve in fluid-control valves. ATCO was meant to "grow its Climate Products businesses to become a more valuable resource to its HVAC customers."
Nehring Electrical Works CompanyElkhart Products CorporationATCO Rubber ProductsDie-Mold Tool LimitedJungwoo Metal Ind. Co., Ltd (60% interest)
03
Integration approach
Selective platform and geographic moves, often via partial stakes or joint ventu...
Selective platform and geographic moves, often via partial stakes or joint ventures. When Mueller goes bigger or further afield it frequently uses partial ownership — a 60% stake in Korea's Jungwoo, a majority-owned China JV (Mueller-Xingrong), increasing Mueller Middle East to 55%, and the 50/50 Atlas Holdings venture that took Tecumseh private. The 2024 Nehring deal ($569M) marked a larger step, moving Mueller squarely into utility wire and cable and "a substantial platform for long-term growth in the electrical and power infrastructure space."
Nehring Electrical Works CompanyElkhart Products CorporationATCO Rubber ProductsDie-Mold Tool LimitedJungwoo Metal Ind. Co., Ltd (60% interest)

The Full Deal Book

16 acquisitions. Each entry carries the deal value, financing structure, target revenue, executive commentary, and the original SEC filing — the evidence behind the patterns above.

01 Nehring Electrical Works Company · DeKalb, Illinois, United States $569.2M
Announced Apr 2024 Closed May 2024 all cash
bare and insulated copper and aluminum wirealuminum-clad steelcopper-clad steelbuilding wireunderground power cableground rodmedium voltage cable

Founded in 1912 and headquartered in DeKalb, Illinois, Nehring produces wire and cable solutions for the utility, telecommunication, electrical distribution, and OEM markets, operating through Nehring Electrical Works Company, Conex Cable, L.L.C., and Unified Wire & Cable, Inc. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, Nehring's net sales were approximately $400 million. approximately $569.2 million (net of working capital adjustments); announced at approximately $575 million plus a $25 million earn-out.

Why it was attractive
  • Recognized supplier to utilities
  • REAs
  • municipalities
  • telecommunications and electrical distribution companies across the U.S
  • with attractive margins and a culture aligned to Mueller's
We are excited to welcome Nehring into our portfolio of companies. This acquisition provides a substantial platform for long-term growth in the electrical and power infrastructure space and complements the other critical infrastructure sectors we support.Greg Christopher — CEO, Mueller Industries
02 Elkhart Products Corporation · Elkhart, Indiana and Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States $38.2M
Announced Aug 2024 Closed Aug 2024 all cash
copper solder fittings

Elkhart is a U.S. manufacturer of copper solder fittings with two manufacturing locations in Elkhart, Indiana and Fayetteville, Arkansas. approximately $38.2 million in cash at closing, net of cash acquired and working capital adjustments.

Why it was attractive
  • Established domestic copper solder fittings manufacturer expanding Mueller's Piping Systems footprint
On August 2, 2024, the Company entered into an equity purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Elkhart Products Corporation (Elkhart) for approximately $38.2 million in cash at closing, net of cash acquired and working capital adjustments.Mueller Industries FY2024 10-K — Acquisitions & Dispositions note
03 ATCO Rubber Products, Inc. · United States (Stock Purchase Agreement with Ramesh Bhatia and affiliated trusts) $162.8M
Announced Jul 2018 Closed Jul 2018 all cash
insulated HVAC flexible duct systems

ATCO is an industry leader in the manufacturing and distribution of insulated HVAC flexible duct systems. ATCO had revenues of approximately $166 million with 800 employees in its fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. approximately $162.8 million in cash.

Why it was attractive
  • Industry leader in insulated HVAC flexible duct with 800 employees and an established customer base
ATCO is an industry leader in the manufacturing and distribution of insulated HVAC flexible duct systems and will support the Company's strategy to grow its Climate Products businesses to become a more valuable resource to its HVAC customers.Mueller Industries press release — July 2, 2018
04 Die-Mold Tool Limited · Ontario, Canada $13.6M
Announced Mar 2018 Closed Mar 2018 all cash
PEX and plumbing-related fittingsplastic injection tooling

Die-Mold, based out of Ontario, Canada, is a manufacturer of PEX and other plumbing-related fittings and plastic injection tooling, selling these products in Canada and the U.S. approximately $13.6 million (net of working capital adjustments); $12.4 million cash at closing plus up to $2.3 million contingent consideration.

Why it was attractive
  • PEX fittings and plastic injection tooling capability serving Canada and the U.S
On March 28, 2018, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Die-Mold Tool Limited (Die-Mold) for approximately $13.6 million, net of working capital adjustments. The total purchase price consisted of $12.4 million in cash at closing and a contingent consideration arrangement which requires the Company to pay the former owner up to $2.3 million based on EBITDA growth.Mueller Industries FY2018 10-K — Acquisitions note
05 Jungwoo Metal Ind. Co., Ltd (60% interest) · Seoul, South Korea Not disclosed
Announced Feb 2016 Closed Mar 2016
copper-based pipe joining products

Jungwoo is a manufacturer of copper-based pipe joining products, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, and serving markets worldwide. Mueller acquired a 60 percent equity interest.

Why it was attractive
  • World-class copper-based pipe joining manufacturer with a long-standing relationship with Mueller and worldwide markets
We are excited about joining forces with Jungwoo. They are a world-class company with whom we have had a long and valuable relationship. This transaction complements our core copper business by expanding our product offerings and geographic reach for piping systems products.Greg Christopher — Chairman and CEO, Mueller Industries
06 H&C Flex (Hart & Cooley flexible duct business) · United States $15.3M
Announced Dec 2020 Closed Jan 2021 all cash
insulated HVAC flexible duct systems

The Hart & Cooley flexible duct business, including inventory, manufacturing equipment, and related assets, manufactures insulated HVAC flexible duct systems. Treated as a business combination and reported as H&C Flex. approximately $15.3 million; $14.0 million cash at closing plus $1.3 million contingent consideration.

Why it was attractive
  • Expands footprint in air quality and climate control
  • complements the existing flexible duct business
On December 20, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Hart & Cooley LLC. The transaction closed on January 29, 2021, whereby the Company purchased the Hart & Cooley flexible duct business... for approximately $15.3 million. The total purchase price consisted of $14.0 million in cash paid at closing and a contingent consideration arrangement of $1.3 million.Mueller Industries FY2021 10-K — Acquisitions note
07 Mueller Middle East (additional 15% interest, to 55%) · Bahrain (Middle East and Northern Africa markets) $20.0M
Announced Dec 2021 Closed Dec 2021 cash
copper tube manufacturing

Mueller acquired an additional 15 percent equity interest in Mueller Middle East, taking its stake to a total of 55 percent. Mueller Middle East is a Bahraini joint venture that manufactures copper tube and serves markets in the Middle East and Northern Africa. approximately $20.0 million; $15.8 million cash at closing.

Why it was attractive
  • Majority control of an established Middle Eastern copper tube producer serving MENA markets
On December 7, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement providing for the purchase of an additional 15 percent equity interest in Mueller Middle East for a total of 55 percent, for approximately $20.0 million. The total purchase price consisted of $15.8 million in cash paid at closing (net of cash acquired), a gain recognized on the settlement of preexisting relationships of $2.6 million, and a contingent consideration arrangement of $1.0 million.Mueller Industries FY2021 10-K — Acquisitions note
08 Kessler Sales and Distribution (Wieland-Kessler LLC distribution business) · United States $57.2M
Announced Aug 2020 Closed Aug 2020 all cash
distribution of residential and commercial plumbing products

Under an asset purchase agreement with Wieland-Kessler LLC, Mueller purchased the Kessler distribution business, including inventory, manufacturing equipment, and related assets. Kessler Sales and Distribution, LLC is a distributor of residential and commercial plumbing products. Treated as a business combination. $57.2 million in cash at closing.

Why it was attractive
  • Established distributor of residential and commercial plumbing products complementing Piping Systems
On August 3, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Wieland-Kessler LLC, whereby the Company purchased the Kessler distribution business, which included inventory, manufacturing equipment, and related assets. The total purchase price was $57.2 million in cash paid at closing.Mueller Industries FY2020 10-K — Acquisitions note
09 Shoals Tubular, Inc. · United States $15.4M
Announced Jan 2020 Closed Jan 2020 all cash
brazed manifoldsheadersdistributor assemblies

Shoals Tubular, Inc. (STI) is a manufacturer of brazed manifolds, headers, and distributor assemblies used primarily by manufacturers of residential heating and air conditioning units. approximately $15.4 million (net of working capital adjustments).

Why it was attractive
  • Supplier of brazed manifolds and headers to residential HVAC OEMs
In January 2020, the Company completed the purchase of Shoals Tubular, Inc. (STI) for approximately $15.4 million, net of working capital adjustments. STI is a manufacturer of brazed manifolds, headers, and distributor assemblies used primarily by manufactures of residential heating and air conditioning units.Mueller Industries FY2019 10-K — Acquisitions/Subsequent Events note
10 Great Lakes Copper Ltd. · Canada $75M
Announced Jul 2015 Closed Jul 2015 all cash
copper mill / copper piping products

Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mueller Industries, acquired all of the outstanding shares of Great Lakes Copper Ltd., a copper mill that expanded Mueller's manufacturing footprint to Canada. $75 million in cash.

Why it was attractive
  • Established copper mill complementing Mueller's global piping platform
The addition of the Great Lakes Copper mill is a great complement to our global piping platform and expands our manufacturing footprint to Canada.Greg Christopher — CEO, Mueller Industries
11 Sherwood Valve LLC · United States $25M
Announced Jun 2015 Closed Jun 2015 all cash
brassaluminumand stainless steel valves and fluid control solutions

Sherwood Valve Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mueller Industries, acquired all of the outstanding membership interests of Sherwood Valve LLC from Taylor-Wharton International LLC. Sherwood manufactures brass, aluminum, and stainless steel valves and fluid control solutions. $25 million in cash.

Why it was attractive
  • Established valve and fluid-control product line carved out of Taylor-Wharton
On June 18, 2015, Sherwood Valve Products, Inc. (the Buyer), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mueller Industries, Inc., entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with Taylor-Wharton International LLC (the Seller) providing for the purchase by the Buyer and the sale by the Seller of all of the outstanding equity interests of Sherwood Valve LLC. The closing of the transaction occurred on June 18, 2015. The aggregate consideration paid by the Buyer to the Seller for the Membership Interests was $25 million in cash.Mueller Industries Form 8-K — June 19, 2015
12 Tecumseh Products Company · Michigan, United States Not disclosed
Announced Aug 2015 Closed Nov 2015 all cash
compressors and related products for residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning

MA Industrial JV LLC, in which Mueller's subsidiary DENO Investment Co. II owns a 50% interest (with the remaining 50% owned by affiliates of Atlas Holdings), agreed to acquire Tecumseh Products Company, a Michigan corporation, through a cash tender offer at $5.00 per share followed by a merger. $5.00 per share cash tender offer (acquired through a 50/50 joint venture, MA Industrial JV LLC, with affiliates of Atlas Holdings).

Why it was attractive
  • Take-private of a global compressor manufacturer via a 50/50 partnership with Atlas Holdings
On August 5, 2015, MA Industrial JV LLC (the Parent), a Delaware limited liability company in which DENO Investment Co. II (DENO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mueller Industries, Inc., owns a 50% interest (with the remaining 50% owned by affiliates of Atlas Holdings)... entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger... Sub will... commence a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares... of Tecumseh at a purchase price of $5.00 for each Share.Mueller Industries Form 8-K — August 7, 2015
13 Howell Metal Company · United States $58.5M
Announced Oct 2013 Closed Oct 2013 all cash
copper tube and piping products

Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mueller Industries, acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Howell Metal Company from Commercial Metals Company. $58.5 million in cash.

Why it was attractive
  • Copper tube business carved out of Commercial Metals Company
On October 17, 2013, Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc. (the Buyer), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mueller Industries, Inc., entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Commercial Metals Company (the Seller) and Howell Metal Company (Howell) providing for the purchase by the Buyer and the sale by the Seller of all of the outstanding capital stock of Howell. The closing of the transaction occurred on October 17, 2013. The aggregate consideration paid by the Buyer to the Seller for the Shares was $58.5 million in cash.Mueller Industries Form 8-K — October 17, 2013
14 Extruded Metals, Inc. · United States (Delaware corporation) $32.0M
Announced Feb 2007 Closed Feb 2007 all cash
brass rod and extruded brass products

Mueller Industries acquired all the outstanding capital stock of Extruded Metals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, from TBG Holdings N.V. and N.V. Hollandsch-Amerikaansche Beleggingsmaatschappij Holland-American Investment Corporation. $32.0 million in cash (plus assumption of approximately $10.1 million of bank debt).

Why it was attractive
  • Adds brass rod / extruded brass capacity to Mueller's industrial metals platform
On February 27, 2007, Mueller Industries, Inc. (the Company) entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with TBG Holdings N.V. and N.V. Hollandsch-Amerikaansche Beleggingsmaatschappij Holland-American Investment Corporation (collectively, the Sellers) providing for the purchase by the Company and the sale by the Sellers of all the outstanding capital stock of Extruded Metals, Inc. The closing of the transaction occurred on February 27, 2007. The aggregate consideration paid by the Company to the Sellers for the Shares was $32.0 million in cash. In connection with the transaction, the Company assumed approximately $10.1 million of Extruded's bank debt.Mueller Industries Form 8-K — March 5, 2007
15 NICNA Mexico (NICNA Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and affiliated entities) · Mexico $28.5M
Announced Dec 2004 Closed Dec 2004 all cash
copper tube and piping products (Mexico)

Mueller subsidiaries Mueller Comercial de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and WTC HoldCo I, LLC purchased all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of NICNA Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and five affiliated Mexican entities from Miyar, LLC and Nicna, GmbH. approximately $28.5 million.

Why it was attractive
  • Established Mexican copper tube / piping operations
On December 14, 2004, two subsidiaries of the registrant, Mueller Comercial de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and WTC HoldCo I, LLC (together, the Buyer), entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement... the Buyer purchased from the Seller all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of NICNA Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and affiliated entities. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares purchased under the Securities Purchase Agreement was approximately $28,487,000, subject to adjustment.Mueller Industries Form 8-K — December 17, 2004
16 Jiangsu Mueller-Xingrong Copper Industries Limited (China joint venture) · Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China $19.4M
Announced Dec 2005 Closed Dec 2005 cash + asset contributions
engineered copper tube for air-conditioning applications

Mueller Streamline China, LLC and Mueller Streamline Holding, S.L. established a joint venture with Jiangsu Xingrong Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Baiyang Industries Ltd. named Jiangsu Mueller-Xingrong Copper Industries Limited, to design, market and manufacture commercial copper tube and related products for air conditioning applications, primarily for the People's Republic of China. approximately $19.4 million contributed in cash (50.5% interest).

Why it was attractive
  • Majority-owned manufacturing presence serving the Chinese air-conditioning copper tube market
On December 5, 2005, Mueller Streamline China, LLC and Mueller Streamline Holding, S.L., subsidiaries of Mueller Industries, Inc., received a business license... establishing a joint venture... named Jiangsu Mueller-Xingrong Copper Industries Limited, to design, market and manufacture commercial copper tube and related products for air conditioning applications. The Company's Subsidiaries will contribute to the Joint Venture approximately U.S. $19,400,000 in cash... the Joint Venture will be owned 50.5% by the Company's Subsidiaries.Mueller Industries Form 8-K — December 9, 2005

More Acquirer Playbooks

See how VectorShift works for your firm

Request Demo