Plews & Edelmann bringing manufacturing back home to Dixon

DIXON – Plews & Edelmann is bringing manufacturing operations and potentially more jobs to its Dixon facility.

Plews & Edelmann is a manufacturer and marketer of power steering components, hoses, automotive fittings, and turbo oil lines. The company recently purchased Blissfield Manufacturing, a third-generation Tier 1 manufacturer of refrigeration products and condensers in Blissfield, Michigan.

Blissfield produced hydraulic power steering coolers, also referred to as cooler lines, for original equipment manufacturers, and in the transaction, Plews & Edelmann acquired Blissfield’s technology, designs and manufacturing equipment.

“This acquisition complements our vision and is a perfect fit for the company as we continue to focus on providing the aftermarket with a total solution to its power steering needs,” Plews CEO Dan Billie said. “We are already a leading supplier of power steering hoses, rack and pinion assemblies, pumps, gear boxes, filters and fluid, so we are excited about the future of this opportunity.”

The purchase means that Plews will be bringing manufacturing operations back to the Dixon facility at 1550 Franklin Grove Road. The company used to manufacture in Dixon but had moved most of it to Mexico.

“The Blissfield acquisition marks a key milestone in the progress of Plews & Edelmann,” company Executive Chairman David Rashid said. “Under Dan Billie’s leadership, the company has executed on its goal to become a leader in the steering category. We continue to explore other steering opportunities and will be making other announcements soon.”

There won’t need to be significant renovations to accommodate the manufacturing, and several improvements were already made across the last year with the company’s Total Solutions Center and gallery.

Plews employs 77 people at the Dixon facility as well as 10 employees between satellite offices in Memphis, Tennessee and Mexico.

The cooler manufacturing addition could lead to increasing the number of employees by around 10%.

“Power steering coolers are an essential component for vehicles that need to reduce the temperature of the power steering fluid,” Billie said. “With hotter running engines, the cooler design is integral in maintaining a long life of steering components like hoses, rack and pinions, pumps and gears. Without the cooler, the power steering system runs the extreme risk of cooking the fluid and potentially damaging all steering components, which will result in a significant repair bill for the customer.”