The WestfaliaSurge GmbH announced today the acquisition of J. Houle & Fils Inc., the leading manufacturer of livestock manure-handling equipment in North America. Houle will operate independently as a sister company to WestfaliaSurge, Inc. The WestfaliaSurge GmbH is dedicated to growing the equipment product line globally out of the Houle headquarters and manufacturing facility in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada.

“The Houle company has achieved success by demonstrating a commitment to providing its customers with the highest-quality product and latest technology,” says Holger Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer, WestfaliaSurge GmbH. “This commitment is true of WestfaliaSurge as well, and we look forward to continuing this success by expanding the Houle brand in North America and around the world.”

Houle has more than 100 dealerships across North America. Dealerships for both Houle and WestfaliaSurge, Inc. will continue to offer their current respective product lines.

“Our company has been family-owned since 1957, so the decision to sell the company was difficult,” says Michel Houle, President, J. Houle & Fils Inc. “But getting to know the culture of WestfaliaSurge and understanding their commitment to keep our people and our business intact, while expanding markets for our products, has made the process smooth and the decision much easier.”

Nearly 90 percent of Houle equipment is sold in North America to dairy and swine producers. In countries where Houle has a distribution presence, WestfaliaSurge will continue to market the Houle brand. In countries where Houle does not have a distribution presence, the WestfaliaSurge GmbH will proactively seek growth opportunities.

With the acquisition, the WestfaliaSurge GmbH has expanded its position as a leading global agriculture equipment manufacturer and enhanced the company’s ability to provide milk producers with fully integrated service. This includes offering a unique, integrated portfolio of equipment, hygiene products, dealer service and technical support that enables dairy producers to remain competitive and profitable. The company looks forward to expanding this commitment to advanced technology and service to the swine market.