Alpharetta, Ga.-based Arclin on Feb. 2 reported completing its acquisition of 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.
Arclin announced in December that it was entering into a definitive agreement to purchase the company. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition adds 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 and research and development facilities will also be added to Arclin’s 21 offices and manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., and approximately 540 employees will join Arclin’s existing 1,200-person team.
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 have long admired WVCO’s deep technical expertise, customer focus, and commitment to quality—values that resonate deeply with the team at Arclin,” Arclin CEO Bradley Bolduc said. “This acquisition enables us to better serve our customers in new industries where our combined capabilities will have an immediate impact. This is an exciting step forward for our team members and the customers who rely on us.“
“WVCO’s legacy is built on technical ingenuity and a willingness to take on tough challenges,” noted John Murray, President and CEO of WVCO. “Joining Arclin amplifies that spirit. Together, we’ll shape the next generation of materials and unlock new opportunities for our teams and the industries we serve.”
“Collaborating alongside The Willamette Valley Company’s talented team and integrating our well‑paired technologies opens the door to significant innovation,“ Arclin President Mark Glaspey added. “Together, we are uniquely positioned to advance next‑generation chemistries, mission‑critical solutions, and application technologies that will raise the bar across industries. This acquisition strengthens our ability to solve complex challenges and deliver meaningful value to customers around the world.“
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
