Butech Bliss Buys 2 Longtime Salem Companies

SALEM, Ohio – Butech Bliss Inc. said Friday that its acquisition of two local companies would help the manufacturer to broaden its customer base and capabilities.

Butech announced that it has acquired LM Equipment & Design and Lehmann Mills, both located at 11000 Route 62 North in Salem.

LM Equipment designs and builds coil-processing machinery and systems used in the metals industry.

Lehmann Mills, which was founded more than a century ago, manufactures dispersion mills and precision roller mills used in a variety of industries from chocolate and coffee to paint and soap. The company has built more than 5,000 rolling mills since it was established, according to its website.

Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

Butech officials could not be reached for comment on Friday.

In its acquisition announcement, the company said “The synergies associated with the manufacturing, engineering, and sales support of these product lines will allow for improved technology, competitiveness and customer satisfaction from this new team.”

John Buta, who founded Butech in 1985 and later acquired the assets of Bliss-Salem, worked for both LM Equipment and Bliss before establishing Butech.

Butech Bliss engineers and manufactures custom coil processing and rolling mill equipment for the metals industry and ships to more than 40 countries. The manufacturer employs more than 200.

Julie Needs, executive director of the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center, says her organization worked closely with Butech during the acquisition process.

“We helped them with resources such as environmental testing, connecting them with state grants and other sources of funding,” she says. “We were really a support service to get them in front of the right resources.”

More importantly, Needs says the SOD Center would be available to provide specialized training for employees of Lehmann Mills through its Workforce Development Training programs. She estimates both LM and Lehmann employ about 15.

“Once everything is completed, they’ll use the SOD Center for specific training,” she says.

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