Iron Crest forms waste equipment manufacturing platform

Poynette, Wisconsin-based Iron Crest, a privately owned family of operating companies focused on environmental and waste equipment manufacturing, has acquired FleetGenius of NC. The company joins Poynette Ironworks and Ironworks Truck & Equipment, which Iron Crest, led by CEO Jeff Horein and President Bob Fields, acquired in 2024, according to the company’s website, with the intention of enhancing operational efficiency and fostering innovation across the group.

Effective immediately, FleetGenius of NC, Lenoir, North Carolina, is operating under the name Bakers Waste Equipment, restoring a brand with more than 40 years of history as a manufacturer of commercial waste and recycling containers and compactors, including front-load and roll-off containers, serving municipal and private waste operators nationwide, Iron Crest says.

Fleet Genius LLC, Naples, Florida, acquired Bakers Waste Equipment in 2021, establishing its manufacturing division. The company continues to operate its National Container Solutions business independently of Iron Crest and Bakers.

Bakers Waste Equipment; Poynette Ironworks, a Poynette-based fabricator of steel products and specialized equipment supporting waste hauling, municipal and industrial applications across the Midwest and beyond; and Ironworks Truck & Equipment, a national commercial truck upfitting business based in Poynette; continue to operate under their respective operating leadership teams. Each business will maintain operational independence while benefiting from the long-term ownership and shared resources of the Iron Crest companies, the company says.

“FleetGenius of NC is a high-quality compactor and container manufacturing operation built on the work of a skilled team that takes pride in what they make and stands behind every product,” Horein says. “I want to recognize Andreas Y. Gruson for his leadership in building a strong operation.”

“I’m excited for Iron Crest as they execute on their bold vision and leverage their manufacturing expertise to take Bakers Waste Equipment to the next level and beyond,” says Andreas Y. Gruson, founder and CEO of FleetGenius, LLC.

Iron Crest says its strategy emphasizes durable growth at the operating company level, with each business scaling alongside its customers and expanding its offerings. The firm plans to invest in people, facilities and operational capabilities across its portfolio while preserving each company’s brand identity, customer relationships and operating culture.

Fields says, “Our approach is simple: partner with proven businesses, respect their legacy and invest for the long term. These companies have earned the trust of their customers and employees, and our role is to support their continued success without disrupting what already works.”