Brookfield private equity firm Blackthorne Partners Ltd. and former Trostel Ltd. vice president Ross Lund have acquired Columbus-based Hughes Co. The company will now be called Hughes Equipment Company LLC.
Lund has been named president and chief executive officer of Hughes, which manufactures stainless steel food processing equipment for a global client base.
“We have aggressive growth goals for the company, which I know we can achieve based on the company’s existing staff of highly skilled and dedicated employees, our existing manufacturing technology, and the new resources we will bring to the operation,” Lund said. “We will help our customers become even more productive through investments in our people and in technology.”
The existing employees will remain at Hughes, utilizing their skills in engineering, manufacturing and technology to further the business’ growth. Lund also plans to hire additional employees as he executes his growth plans.
“We intend to further develop that talent and to provide them with the best technology,” Lund said. “We plan on taking technology to a new level in this industry.”
Former Hughes president and owner Jeff Powell will continue to hold an interest in the company, and serve as a consultant to Lund.
The company will remain in the existing 60,000-square-foot facility it occupies at 1200 W. James St. in Columbus. There is room for growth in the space, Lund said.
“Hughes Equipment Company has an impressive lineup of highly reliable products, unparalleled customer service, and an incredibly talented staff,” said John Syburg, a managing director at Blackthorne. “We are confident we can build on that great foundation, and meet our customers’ needs to an even greater degree, now and well into the future.”
