Weld Racing buys Forgestar custom wheel business

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Weld Racing L.L.C. has acquired Forgestar Performance Wheels, a producer of one-piece flow-formed wheels, in a move Weld said will strengthen both brands' position in the custom, tuner and boutique aftermarket wheel market.

Weld Racing President and CEO Norm Young noted that both Weld and Forgestar have a "great reputation among enthusiasts and racers on the street and on the track. The two brands will complement each other in numerous ways such as design, engineering and manufacturing."

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Forgestar will retain its Anaheim, Calif., location and continue to produce wheels using its rotary-forged flow-forming technology, a process it describes as bridging the gap between forged and cast wheels.

Vincent Wong, vice president of Weld's Lifestyle Business Unit, called Weld Racing the "ideal partner" for Forgeline due to its engineering and production resources.

"With the added support, we will be able to push the boundaries of wheel manufacturing and continue to reinvent this exciting product segment," Mr. Wong said.

The deal comes nine months after Weld Racing was acquired by Cisneros Corp., parent of MOMO Automotive Group. in a move Cisneros said would create a global portfolio of "storied high-performance brands" and product lines.

Weld's portfolio of brands include WELD Racing, CCW Forged Performance, WELD Racing XT and HiPer Technology.

Prior to being acquired by Cisneros, Weld started an initiative to consolidate production of a number of its brands at its Kansas City headquarters. Among those were the operations of the CCW Forged Performance wheel and HiPer Technology Inc. businesses it had acquired.