LOS ANGELES, CA -- Los Angeles-based, C.R. Laurence Co., Inc. (CRL), a leading supplier to the glazing, architectural, construction, industrial and automotive industries, has announced the acquisition of Sommer & Maca Industries (Somaca), effective March 20, 2008. Somaca has also supplied equipment and tooling for the stone industry, and CRL will continue to carry products for this trade.

In making the announcement, Donald E. Friese, CRL's Chairman and CEO, stated, "It is with great pleasure that we can now call Sommer & Maca a member of the CRL family of companies. 'Somaca' has been a pioneer and leader in the glazing industry for over 85 years, supplying tools, hardware and supplies. We are proud of this new association. This joining brings together the products and services of both organizations, and will enhance our customers' experiences with larger inventories available from all our North American locations. This is a new chapter in the history of both CRL and the glazing industry, and we look forward to continuing to serve the needs of all of our customers.

"Somaca has a fine reputation as a glass machinery manufacturer and we will continue to maintain the Somaca name for our new Glass Machinery Division," Friese continued. "The former President of Somaca, Dick Carroll, will stay on as President, and is looking forward to building the business group for CRL and the industry. We plan to produce even more high-quality machinery in Cicero, IL, and will be expanding the facility and adding additional state-of-the-art machinery and engineering expertise."

Friese added, "This is an opportunity for us to learn about Somaca's business and bring it into ours. We are a strong team and will work well together. We are proud to have many talented and experienced Somaca employees join our company. The best part of any acquisition is the opportunity to bring more talented people into our operations to help us grow our business and better serve our customers."

Friese concluded, "With over 40,000 products now available from CRL, and the expanded product lines this acquisition brings, we feel that all our customers and the industry as a whole will benefit greatly. We want to earn the respect and confidence of our new Somaca customers, and to thank our existing customers for the support that made this acquisition possible."

In an effort to make the transition as smooth as possible for Somaca customers, CRL has added their stock numbers into CRL systems, including the CRL Online Catalog at crlaurence.com. Orders may be submitted online, by toll-free phones or faxes, or at CRL's Will Call counters at all 19 North American branch locations. For additional information, contact CRL at 800-421-6144 in the U.S., 877-421-6144 from Canada, or 323-588-1281 from outside the U.S. and Canada. Customers can also visit the CRL web site at crlaurence.com.