Dukane joins The Crest Group in ultrasonic industry deal

Dukane has joined The Crest Group, combining two ultrasonic and thermoplastic joining businesses into a broader global platform. The move expands customer access to products, engineering, service and lifecycle support while existing customer contracts and support arrangements remain in place.

Why it matters: - The Crest Group and Dukane are combining complementary ultrasonic, welding and joining capabilities into a larger global platform. - Customers gain access to a broader product portfolio, more engineering resources, a wider service footprint and stronger lifecycle support. - The deal positions the combined business to handle complex manufacturing challenges with more speed and depth.

What happened: - Dukane has joined The Crest Group, which describes itself as the largest privately held company in the ultrasonic industry. - The announcement was made August 19, 2026, in Saint Charles, Illinois. - The Crest Group and Dukane said the transaction brings together ultrasonic cleaning, welding and cutting, plastic welding and joining, tooling, automation, applications engineering, service and aftermarket support.

The details: - The Crest Group said Dukane’s brand, technical expertise and customer-first approach will be paired with its broader global platform. - Tom Cunningham, CEO of The Crest Group, said the acquisition strengthens Dukane’s position in ultrasonic welding and thermoplastic joining and adds diversity to the business worldwide. - Cunningham said the combination is meant to serve customers looking for an independent provider with a full suite of engineered ultrasonic solutions. - Mike Johnston, CEO of Dukane, said the deal creates a one-call, one-stop solution for plastic welding, joining and cutting challenges. - Johnston said the combined company now offers one of the broadest ranges of ultrasonic and thermoplastic joining and cutting solutions in the market. - Customers do not need to take any action at this time. - Existing Dukane sales, applications engineering, service and support contacts remain in place unless customers are notified otherwise. - Existing purchase orders, quotes, contracts, warranty obligations, service arrangements and delivery commitments continue under their current terms.

Between the lines: - The deal signals consolidation in a specialized manufacturing technology market where customers want fewer vendors and more integrated support. - The companies are also trying to preserve continuity during integration, which can reduce disruption for customers and limit uncertainty around service and delivery. - The focus on “one-call, one-stop” support suggests the combined business is targeting customers that value streamlined procurement and faster problem solving.

What's next: - The Crest Group and Dukane teams will begin integration work while aiming to keep customer service uninterrupted. - The companies said they will look for ways to add technical resources, capabilities and market support during the integration process. - Customers can expect direct communication from their existing Dukane contacts as updates arise.

The bottom line: - Dukane’s move into The Crest Group creates a larger ultrasonic and thermoplastic joining platform with broader reach, deeper support and no immediate change for customers.