Carson City’s Art Wilson Co. acquired by Oklahoma company

Art Wilson Company of Carson City, which mines and markets various products in the west, was acquired by ACG Materials of Norman, Okla., ACG officials have announced.

No price was disclosed for the transaction, a deal that was confirmed Tuesday by officials of the Carson City firm at 5251 Brick Rd. Art Wilson, the founder, said he would stay on for awhile as a consultant. He said it should prove a good deal for his approximately 80 employees because ACG Materials intends to grow his firm.

“I think it will be good for the community,” he added.

The Northern Nevada company, more than a half century in business, mines, processes and markets anhydrate, gypsum and limestone products used in agricultural, industrial and commercial applications across Nevada, California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho, according to the acquiring firm’s news release.

The Oklahoma company, meanwhile, calls itself a vertically integrated producer and processor of minerals and aggregates that include gypsum, limestone, sand, gravel and downstream food, pharmaceutical and plaster products.

“We are excited about the continued expansion of our operations into the western U.S.,” said Paul Harrington, ACG’s chief executive officer.

He said the Carson City-based company not only allows ACG to grow, but the acquisition provides ACG the leading supplier of agricultural gypsum serving California’s Central Valley and surrounding areas. It “also broadens our customer footprint, product portfolio, and end market diversification,” he said.

ACG was founded in 1955 and operated under the name of Harrison Gypsum for 60 years before the name was changed. ACG/Harrison was acquired in 2012 by H.I.G. Capital. An ACG news release said Art Wilson’s firm becomes the fifth add-on acquisition for the Oklahoma company since H.I.G. became involved.

“We are pleased to support ACG Materials in its acquisition of Art Wilson Company,” said Keval Patel, H.I.G. managing director. “We expect the use of anhydrate and gypsum to continue to grow as farmers look to capitalize on the excellent crop enhancing and moisture retention attributes of these products.”