Canadian semitrailer manufacturer Manac has announced the acquisition of assets of Missouri-based CPS Trailer. The deal marks Manac's first plant in the United States.

The 4.5 million transaction includes a 115,000 square-foot plant as well as certain raw material and finished products. CPS manufactures bottom dump trailers and specialty semitrailers. Annual production capacity is 800 units and the company currently employs more than 50 people.
Manac president Charles Dutil said in a press release that the acquisition demonstrates the company's determination to increase its presence in the specialized product market in the U.S. Southwest, through its network of more than 40 independent distributors. He said the move will also allow the company to take advantage of the increase in demand that was felt in the transport industry during the first six months of 2002. Manac's backlog is currently 2,753 units, compared with 984 in 2001.