Excerpted from the South Bend Tribune 2/15/2014.
SOUTH BEND – General Sheet Metal Works Inc. has acquired AAA Tool and Die Co., John Axelberg, president of General Sheet Metal, said Friday.

Axelberg said the addition of AAA’s capabilities and skilled work force will help General Sheet Metal continue to grow. AAA, which employs 12, will maintain its facilities in South Bend and John Shirrell, former owner of AAA Tool and Die, will remain with the company as a sales and engineering consultant.

AAA produces tooling and dies and performs machining for a wide variety of industries, including heavy equipment, aerospace, automotive and machine tool manufacturers.

“As part of the GSMW team, we believe that AAA’s size and expertise will enable us to manage the largest programs of our existing customers while expanding our reach into other industries,” Axelberg said.

General Sheet Metal employs 175 in South Bend and another 48 in Tomah, Wis. The company currently serves a number of industry segments including lawn and garden, solar power, automotive aftermarket, military vehicles, agricultural equipment, and data center infrastructure.

Last year, General Sheet Metal Works ranked seventh on The Fabricator magazine’s Fab 40 list, placing it among the leading companies in the American metal fabricating industry.