WA Fasteners (WA) and Encore Hartco (Encore) are excited to announce the merger of WA and Encore’s commercial fishing and aquaculture business. The combination closed on September 30, 2020.
WA Fasteners, based in Pownal, Maine, has been in business for more than 40 years and is a leading supplier of fasteners, hoops and tools to the commercial fishing and aquaculture industry.
Encore Hartco, located in Northbrook, Illinois, provides a broad line of fastening solutions to a wide range of customers including those in the bedding, furniture, construction and aquaculture markets. With the acquisition of the iconic Hartco brand in 2014, Encore could draw upon industry-specific design, engineering and manufacturing expertise stretching back to 1968.
Bob and Janice West, founders and owners of WA, and Don Ayres, President of Encore Hartco, are known throughout the commercial fishing and aquaculture industry and believe this combination provides both companies an excellent opportunity to expand their innovative capabilities and meet the growing needs of their customers.
The combined company plans to maintain and grow both WA’s Pownal facility as well as Encore’s Northbrook operation. Further, the combined businesses intend to invest capital in the Pownal facility to bolster WA’s productive capabilities and grow the combined company’s business in New England and Eastern Canada. Cheryl Meyer will remain in her position as General Manager responsible for all aspects of the company’s Pownal operation.