'Merger of equals'

Manatee County-based RND Automation & Engineering, already in rapid growth mode, recently closed on an acquisition that will launch 2018 with more expansion potential.

RND, which designs and assembles custom-made automation and robotic machines used by other manufacturers, acquired the assets of MDC Packaging Machinery, based in Sarasota. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

“Even though it's an acquisition, it's more a merger of a equals,” RND President Sean Dotson tells Coffee Talk. “The stuff we are not good at, they are great at. We think this will be a one plus one equals three kind of deal.”