Bishop-Wisecarver acquires Specialty Motions' actuator lines

Bishop-Wisecarver Group, a WBENC-certified, woman-owned family of companies that offer guidance solutions, contract specialty manufacturing and mechatronic-based engineering services, today announced it has acquired the Specialty Motions Inc. (SMI) linear actuator product line. Complementing BWG’s existing line of high-end linear actuators, the addition of the SMI4Motion product offering will enable BWG to expand the markets it serves by offering a wider range of linear actuators that meet the diverse requirements and product specifications of its customers.

Located in Southern California, SMI has been creating and developing motion control and automation devices, components and systems since 1990 under the same owner and management. Its product line includes linear actuators from simple manual stages to ball screw actuators including push pull type, to multi-axis, miniature precision or high-performance customizable linear motor systems. This extensive product offering will complement BWG’s range of belt, chain, lead screw and ball screw actuators covering applications from low load to heavy duty and from fast to slow speeds, including corrosion-resistant versions to accommodate food and laboratory applications.

“This acquisition reaffirms BWG’s commitment to offer its customers the best and most comprehensive product lines, ultimately making it easier for them to do business withBishop-Wisecarver Group,” said Pamela Kan, president of Bishop-Wisecarver Group.

“SMI linear actuators are highly customizable and follow the BWG design methodology. This broadens our capability to offer and design the most complete linear motion solution regardless of the technology.”

Details of the Bishop-Wisecarver acquisition

As part of the agreement, BWG will acquire SMI’s designed and manufactured line of linear actuators, which includes the following products:

SMI will also transfer to BWG its SMI4Motion machine tools, tooling, equipment, inventory, supplies, and intellectual property related to the SMI linear actuators. The SMI web site and toll free number will now redirect customers to www.bwc.com.

“To ensure a seamless transition, the SMI4Motion linear actuator product lines will be integrated immediately into the BWG product line and made available to all current and future customers,” said Aldo DeAmicis, Vice President of Operations at Bishop-Wisecarver Group. “We are excited to carry on SMI’s established legacy of innovative actuator designs and on-time delivery, and look forward to providing all customers of linear motion technology with the best products, service and customer support.”

The two companies expect to complete the initial transition in August 2015. New orders for SMI4Motion linear actuators are expected to ship in approximately 3 to 6 weeks for standard configurations as SMI transitions all the SMI4Motion machine tools from Corona, California to the BWG manufacturing facility in Pittsburg, California.