The Mayfly Group, a private investment firm, has acquired Abel Automatics, announced David Dragoo, Mayfly’s spokesperson. Abel Automatics is better known as Abel, a 25-year-old fly reel company recognized for its quality reels. The sale was completed on Dec. 31, 2012.
Mayfly’s partnership with Abel has been in the works for over a year, according to Dragoo. “Fundamentally, Abel is a people company first. We know that finding the best people will ultimately drive the innovation and Abel has been producing the highest quality products and leading in fly reel design for a quarter century. We are excited to be a part of their great tradition and build upon it for the next 25 years.”
In the new management structure, Don R. Swanson will continue as Abel’s President and Chief Operating Officer while Glen Krapff will be promoted to Vice President and Chief Engineer; Jeff Patterson will remain as Director of Sales.
Founded as an independent machine job shop which manufactured precision aerospace computer and medical parts, Abel now produces more than 20 machine-milled models and sizes of reels. Abel uses the highest quality aircraft grade aluminum and high grade industrial cork. All anodizing and finishing are done in-house by Abels’ manufacturing technicians.
