FREEPORT, ILL. – Even though the recession has many businesses reducing their workforce and operations, Mechanical Inc., a Midwest-based contractor located here, is bucking that trend by purchasing the commercial HVAC sheet metal fabrication division of Norstar Mechanical, Rockford, Ill.

“Expanding a company’s line of services in a down market allows more opportunities to do business by providing more services,” said Brian Helm, president of Mechanical Inc. “This ‘one-stop shopping’ concept offers greater convenience for potential customers. Our primary reason for entering the sheet metal business is that an increasing number of owners and construction managers, particularly on high-risk and design-build projects, expect one firm to have responsibility for all the mechanical trade work.”

Mechanical Inc. has teamed up with Norstar on numerous projects throughout Norstar’s 14-year history, Helm added, so the fit to become one company was an easy transition. Mechanical Inc. will also be hiring as a result of the acquisition.

The two companies share many of the same customers and perform the majority of work in the Chicagoland, Rockford, and southeastern Wisconsin areas. The acquisition of Norstar will increase the number of services that can be provided for green building projects. Annual revenue for Mechanical Inc. after the acquisition is expected to approach $200 million.

In addition to commercial HVAC sheet metal fabrication and installation, Norstar also has an architectural sheet metal division that performs architectural and metal roofing scopes. Norstar Heating and Cooling Inc. will continue to operate as a residential HVAC construction and service company under separate ownership from Mechanical Inc. All non-residential sheet metal work will operate under the Mechanical Inc. name.