Canadian firm acquires Utica’s ECR International

UTICA, N.Y. — A Canadian company has acquired Utica–based ECR International, which has been manufacturing heating and cooling products in New York for almost a century.

And with a pending retirement, ECR is also set for a leadership transition.

ECR International — which is headquartered at 2201 Dwyer Avenue in Utica and is a division of the Dutch firm BDR Thermea — has been selling its products under a family of brand names including Utica Boilers, Dunkirk, Olsen, Pennco, RetroAire, Argo, and EMI, per a recent company news release.

Granby Industries LP — a division of TerraVest Industries Inc., of Canada — has acquired the Utica firm. Granby specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of residential, light commercial and light industrial tanks for the safe storage and distribution of combustible liquids.

ECR and Granby didn’t disclose any financial terms of the acquisition agreement.

ECR workers will continue manufacturing products at both facilities in Utica and Dunkirk, south of Buffalo in Chautauqua County, ECR said.

“ECR International is a strong business with a portfolio of successful brands, and we’re delighted to welcome its employees to the Granby family,” Pierre Fournier, president of Granby Industries, said. “ECR fits within our portfolio of businesses perfectly and we look forward to nurturing its growth and further strengthening our position in the North American heating market.”

Leadership transition

Besides the sale, ECR International is set for a leadership transition.

After several years as the company’s top official, president and CEO Ron Passafaro will be retiring. Mitch O’Connor, who has served as VP of operations for several years, will become the firm’s president of upstate New York.

O’Connor, a Manlius native, brings to the role a “great deal” of senior-management experience, ECR said. Before joining the company in 2013, O’Connor held leadership positions at Crouse Hinds, a division of Cooper Industries, and Daikin McQuay. Prior to those roles, he had a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy, culminating as commander.

Paul Totaro, VP and CFO of ECR, will also be retiring from his position as part of the transition.