Geberit acquires W/C Technology

DES PLAINES, ILL. — Effective Nov. 1, the Chicago Faucet Co., a member of The Geberit Group, has acquired 100% of the shares of W/C Technology Corp. from Masco Corp.

WCTC, a Farmington Hills, Mich.-based company, develops and sells pressure-tank technology for toilet flushing. With this acquisition, Swiss-based Geberit continues to increase its U.S. presence as part of its expansion and internationalization strategy, the company said. Earlier this year, Geberit acquired Chicago Faucet (August, pg. 1).

The WCTC acquisition secures for Geberit the water-saving, pressure-tank technology for the commercial and public sector and opens a worldwide growth potential, the company said. Geberit and WCTC previously had worked together to develop a pressure-tank solution for concealed tanks that have been sold in the United States since September. The wall-hung unit was displayed in April at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Chicago (June, pg. 27).

WCTC generates annual sales of $3 million. The company was established in 1993 when Masco acquired pressure-tank technology patents. WCTC also supplies several major vitreous china manufacturers in the United States.

In the United States, Geberit operates a manufacturing and sales operation based in Michigan City, Ind. Chicago Faucets, located in Des Plaines, produces a broad line of commercial and residential faucets and fittings. The company has combined U.S. sales of more than $90 million.