FEI acquires Midwest Meter and MID:COM

FEI, a wholesale distributor based in Valley City, North Dakota, purchased Midwest Meter and Midwest Computer Register (MID:COM) of Hampton, Iowa.

Company representatives involved with the purchase included, from left, Clay Adams, FEI vice president of operations; Julie and Rick Salvesen of Midwest Meter and MID:COM; and Christy Fliflet, FEI president and CEO. Photo courtesy of FEI

Midwest Meter provides a distribution line primarily serving propane and petroleum markets, along with an array of services that includes meter proving, pump repair and plant construction.

MID:COM manufactures electronic meter registers, on-board computers, and accessories for all types of flow meters with a footprint that serves North America and markets overseas.

FEI purchased the businesses from owners Rick and Julie Salvesen. Through the acquisition, the employees of Midwest Meter and MID:COM will be included as employee-owners of FEI, allowing them to benefit directly from the success of the merged companies, says FEI.

The newly combined companies have a total of 99 employee-owners and three independent contractors. Rick Salvesen will stay on for a few years under the new ownership structure.

“The addition of Midwest Meter and MID:COM to the FEI family is a very complimentary addition,” says Christy Fliflet, CEO of FEI. “This fit starts with the industries they serve through products distributed and manufactured, along with product support and in-field services. However, the true rubber hits the road with respect to the culture, reputation and the great group of people that make the company run. That same group of people will remain in place, ready to serve you now and into the future. Together, we look forward to a bright future.”

Midwest Meter was founded in 1969 as a precision meter calibration service for liquid handling applications. Its meters are calibrated to measure accurately and in a wide range of environmental surroundings, according to FEI. In addition to meters, Midwest Meter is also a distributor of pumps for liquid handling.

Over time, a computerized solution was developed for metering both in service delivery as well as remote monitoring. As a result, Midwest Computer Register, more commonly known as MID:COM, was founded in 1976. While still focused on precision metering, MID:COM explores and develops products to digitally measure and communicate product flow.

FEI was founded in 1978 and is now an employee-owned company. In addition to its headquarters in Valley City, North Dakota, it operates locations in Hastings, Nebraska; Billings, Montana; and Yakima, Washington.

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