Fort Smith, Ark. - Baldor Electric Co. acquired Poulies Maska Inc., a designer and manufacturer of sheaves, bushings, couplings and related mechanical power transmission components located in Ste-Claire, Quebec, Canada, on Sept. 2, 2008.

“We are excited to announce the addition of Maska to our line of mechanical power transmission products,” said John McFarland, chairman and CEO of Baldor. “Over the past five years, the management team at Maska has increased sales and profits by nearly 50%. Their two automated and efficient facilities produce a large variety and some of the highest quality products available in the marketplace. Maska's sheaves and bushings complement our Dodge line with each having success in different parts of the market.”

Poulies Maska has 180 employees primarily located in Canada. With the acquisition, Baldor Electric will acquire a second plant in China to support international growth and the leading market share of sheaves and bushings in North America.