CRESCO, PA.— Weiler Corp. acquired Anderson Products in a transaction with JET Equipment & Tools, capping off JET's recent acquisition of Wilton Corp.

Weiler manufactures industrial brushes, abrasives and maintenance products, while Anderson makes coated and non-woven abrasives and brushes.

Worcester, Mass.-based Anderson Products had been a division of Wilton since 1984.

Weiler said it would operate Anderson as a stand-alone organization led by CEO Dick Gommel, with an independent sales force. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We strongly believe in the brand equity of both Weiler and Anderson. Our intent is to operate the organizations as independent companies, each having well-known and well-respected brand names in the marketplace," said Gommel. "By combining the market shares of both companies, the acquisition strengthens Weiler's leadership position in the surface conditioning industry."

Bob Levine, vice president of sales and marketing for Anderson, said the move "puts us in an excellent position to meet the demands of the marketplace and grow market share.

"As we work through our strategic positioning, it's business as usual."

JET Equipment & Tools acquired Wilton in April. As part of the deal, JET and Weiler signed a letter of intent for Weiler to acquire Anderson's assets.

Weiler recently won a 2001 American Eagle Award for corporate and community educational programs sponsored by the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn., and last year was named one of the top 50 firms to work for in Pennsylvania.

"We've had an extremely exciting year," noted Weiler chairman Karl Weiler.