Viastore Systems acquires systems integrator Blesco

Two Grand Rapids-based materials handling companies join forces.

By Corinne Kator, Associate Editor -- Modern Materials Handling, 5/6/2008

Viastore Systems, a German supplier of automated materials handling equipment, has acquired Michigan-based Blesco, an engineering firm specializing in materials handling system design and integration.

Blesco is located in Grand Rapids, as is Viastore’s U.S. subsidiary. The two companies have worked together on automation projects in the past, so the acquisition is a natural progression of their working relationship, says Joe Stojak, president of Viastore’s U.S. business.

The acquisition of Blesco adds considerable depth to Viastore’s engineering services, says Stojak, and gives Viastore some custom manufacturing capability in the United States.

He says Viastore has no plans to make major changes to Blesco’s structure or even to the company’s name anytime soon.

“We bought a company that has been operating pretty well. There are no plans to change a lot of things in the short term,” he says, adding that the two companies have common cultures and business philosophies, so he thinks their integration will go smoothly.