West Chicago, Ill. - EXEL Industries, a European company, has merged its two U.S. operations under the new name EXEL North America, Inc., responsible for EXEL Industries' Canadian, U.S. and Mexican operations. The merger brings three finishing and extrusion equipment brands under one company banner:

• SAMES - electrostatic equipment for liquid and powder applications;
  
• REXSON - guns, pumps and accessories for sealant and adhesive applications; and
  
• KREMLIN - non-electrostatic guns, pumps and accessories for thin-fluid applications.

The combination of the three brands is reported to offer the widest range of controlled application equipment for finishing and extrusion in the world.

John Patry, president, said, "We have grown substantially as separate entities. The creation of EXEL North America strengthens our leadership position and further energizes our team."

EXEL North America has a Livonia, Mich., operation, serving the automotive assembly and feeder manufacturing markets. A West Chicago, Ill., operation serves the Wood and General Industrial manufacturing markets. A Canadian operation in Scarborough, Ontario, and a Mexican operation in Monterrey each serve all four markets in their respective countries.