Michigan-Based Manufacturer Acquires General Extrusions

BOARDMAN, Ohio – A longtime aluminum extrusion company that boasted three generations of local family ownership has been sold to an international metals manufacturer based in Michigan.

Sources confirm that International Manufacturing & Assembly, of Royal Oak, Mich., acquired General Extrusions Inc. toward the end of last year. General Extrusions, founded in 1950 by Fred G. Schuler, is a long-standing aluminum extruder that has deep industrial roots in the Mahoning Valley.

The Schuler family continued to own and operate the business until this year.

Calls to General Extrusions, 4040 Lake Park Road, seeking comment were referred to International Manufacturing’s marketing department. 

The company had not responded as of this posting, and details of the sale were not disclosed.

According to the social media site LinkedIn, Gilles Teste is listed as the new CEO for General Extrusions International, Youngstown, effective January 2024. He is also the founder and CEO of International Manufacturing & Assembly, according to his profile.

Records from the Mahoning County Auditor’s office show that General Extrusions recently sold two buildings and more than 6.6 acres for a total of $2.14 million.

The main office and extrusion plant at 4040 Lake Park sold for $1.8 million to 4040 Lake Park LLC, while the Simon Road fabrication plant sold for $335,000 to 3991 Simon LLC.

The sales were recorded Jan. 31. The sales on the auditor’s site represent real estate transactions only, not the sale of the company or other assets.

Both purchasing entities list the same address as International Manufacturing & Assembly – 2521 Torquay, Royal Oak, Michigan, according to conveyance documents related to the property sale.

General Extrusions became the first aluminum extruder in North America to become ISO certified, according to past reports. 

Schuler established General Extrusions 73 years ago from a 9,000-square-foot building in Boardman. His son, Herb Schuler Sr., led the company until the family’s third generation, Herb Schuler Jr., took over in 2012.

Today, the company operates a 200,000-square-foot extrusion plant and a 32,000-square-foot fabrication plant. In 2022, General Extrusions commissioned a new advanced press line in its extrusion plant.

International Manufacturing & Assembly manufactures window guide rails, cargo rails, fuel rails and airbag gas-flow tubes, according to its website. IMA specializes in the manufacturing of automotive metal components and assemblies from aluminum extrusions, finished tube parts and welded assemblies.

The Detroit-area company lists a global footprint with facilities in Mexico, China and partnerships in Eastern Europe, its website adds.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.