Spacesaver(R) Corp. Acquires Compact Storage Systems

FORT ATKINSON, Wis., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Spacesaver® Corp., a division of KI, Green Bay, Wis., announced the acquisition of Waukesha, Wis.-based Compact Storage Systems (CSS), a maker of industrial, heavy-duty carriage systems used to compact racking and shelving into a high-density footprint with 100 percent access to materials – creating more space for revenue generating activity in a wide range of manufacturing industries, as well as warehousing and distribution.

With the acquisition of CSS (http://www.compactstoragesystems.com/), Spacesaver President Paul Olsen says Spacesaver is now strongly positioned to help manufacturers and companies in the material handling and logistics industry improve profitability by:

• More cost-effectively managing the continued increase in SKUs, parts, and components;
• freeing up valuable, revenue-generating manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution space;
• reducing the need for plant expansions, or leasing/purchasing of additional facilities;
• placing materials closer to where they are needed and streamlining processes; and
• better organizing and more effectively controlling items kept in central storage areas.

"Companies that make products and/or distribute them are under constant pressure to get more out of their existing facilities, especially in today's economic, risk-sensitive environment," Olsen says. "Now we're in an excellent position to partner with them to get it done. By acquiring CSS we have the products and business infrastructure necessary to help companies rethink their existing space – and leverage the benefits of our compacting carriage systems to create more lean and profitable operations."

Spacesaver's acquisition of CSS represents significant growth opportunity for the company based on a number of key factors, says Jim Muth, vice president of industrial marketing and product development for the new venture.

"Designing customized carriage systems to compress pallet racking or shelving into a smaller footprint is an ideal solution for our customers." Muth says. "What's even more exciting is that our industrial team has vast experience in both manufacturing and the materials handling/logistics industry, which is in addition to storage expertise. In short, we have what it takes to help companies in this market succeed."

In 2006, Spacesaver began to manufacture the complete line of CSS products as part of an alliance between the two companies. The patent-pending storage systems feature mobile carriages that compact together electronically or manually to effectively double the storage capacity of a given space when compared with traditional industrial pallet racking or shelving. The systems include the Series 8, Series 16, and Series 60 models. Since early 2006, CSS has successfully completed numerous installations in a diverse range of industries.  

Spacesaver will continue to distribute the industrial, heavy-duty systems through an independent network of distributors who are experts in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution settings.

"CSS's established distribution network will become part of the Spacesaver Group of independent distributors," says Ken Bowman, the new venture's vice president of sales and distribution. "We also look forward to rapidly growing our distributor network focused on helping manufacturers and those in the materials handling and logistics industry leverage these systems to meet their unique business needs."

The management and sales team of CSS has joined Spacesaver, which currently has over 500 employees. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

About Spacesaver (http://www.spacesaver.com/spacesaver.htm)

A leading storage solutions provider, Spacesaver Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets high-density mobile storage systems and an array of storage solutions and related accessories uniquely designed to help decision-makers better manage time, space, and security. Since 1972, Spacesaver has successfully solved storage challenges for those in education, government-military, healthcare, museum, public safety, and business sectors. A division of KI, Green Bay, Wis., Spacesaver is ISO 9001:2008 certified and headquartered in Fort Atkinson, Wis. Sales, installation and service are provided by The Spacesaver Group of independent distributors.

SOURCE Spacesaver Corp.