Morbark acquires land-clearing attachment maker Denis CIMAF

Denis CIMAF mulcher head

A Denis CIMAF mulcher head in action.

Morbark has acquired Canadian-based brushcutter-mulcher attachment manufacturer Denis CIMAF.

Denis designs and manufactures brushcutters and mulchers for excavators, skid steers, forestry tractors and crawler trucks.

Morbark says the acquisition is part of the company’s strategy to expand its product range.

“Denis CIMAF’s line of attachments are complementary to our current tree care and industrial product lines,” said Dave Herr, Morbark CEO, in a news release. “In fact, Denis CIMAF mulcher heads have been an available option on our Rayco carriers for many years.”

Denis celebrated its 20thanniversary in 2018. Along with land-clearing attachments, the company manufacturers dedicated hydraulic power packs that give equipment attachments a power boost through an independent hydraulic circuit.

Denis CIMAF will become a new division of Morbark and will maintain its brand. Benjamin-Pierre and Simon Denis, sons of company founders Laurent Denis and wife Monique Vaillancourt, will remain with the company as will the company’s management team to develop new products and improve the current product line, according to Morbark. Benjamin Denis will serve as Denis’ general manager.

“Being part of the Morbark family will enable us to continue to grow the business farther and faster,” Denis said in the release.

This is the second acquisition by Michigan-based Morbark since it was acquired by private equity firm Stellex Capital Management LP in 2016. In 2017, Morbark added Rayco Manufacturing, which makes stump cutters, aerial trimmers, forestry mulchers and crawler trucks.

Morbark was formed in 1957 when Norval Morey started the company to manufacture and sell his portable pulp wood debarker. The company has grown over the decades and manufacturers such products as flails, disc and drum tree chippers, brush chippers, horizontal and tub grinders and stump grinders. It acquired Boxer Equipment’s line of mini skid steers in 2012. It has about 450 employees, according to its website.

Morbark recently announced the introduction of a new line of Eeger Beaver brush clippers, the Rayco C120R Forestry Mulcher and the AT75 Aerial Trimmer.