ITW Welding North America has added the MAXAL^™ brand of aluminum welding wire products to its portfolio, effective immediately. MAXAL Inc. had been a privately held company, founded in 2006 by two inventor/entrepreneurs, Jim MacIntosh and Steve and Bruce Anderson. Traverse City, Mich.-based MAXAL has been recognized for its technological advances in aluminum welding wire development and manufacturing.

The value and terms of the transaction have not been released.

Both Steve and Bruce Anderson will remain with the MAXAL organization, which will continue to operate from the same location. Jim MacIntosh will continue as president of MAXAL, reporting to Tim Temby, group vice president of Industrial Products for ITW Welding North America.

“This addition enables us to deliver a superior platform of customized, comprehensive aluminum wire and feeding solutions to our customers in strategic markets,” stated ITW Welding North America president Mike Weller. “The synergy between MAXAL aluminum wire products, Miller welding equipment and our offering of MIG welding guns solidifies our position as the leader in aluminum systems technology in a marketplace where demand is increasing.”

The ITW family of welding equipment and products includes the Miller Electric Manufacturing and Hobart Welding Products brands for welding and cutting equipment; Bernard and Tregaskiss MIG welding guns; Hobart Brothers filler metals; Weldcraft TIG torches; Smith Equipment oxy-fuel welding equipment; and various welding accessory products from Jetline Engineering, Magnaflux, and Tempil. ITW, or Illinois Tool Works, is a global manufacturer of industrial products and equipment, with nearly 800 business units in 57 countries.

“This is a strategic move for our business and ultimately enables us to deliver more value to our customers and the industry overall,” stated MAXAL’s Steve Anderson. “ITW Welding North America is composed of the best welding products in the market, and we’re extremely pleased to be joining this portfolio of industry-leading brands.”