In the beginning, there were two pioneers, united by a shared passion for tubes.
The story begins on both sides of the Atlantic, at a time when the word innovation was still synonymous with the intuition of passionate engineers. In 1956, in England, Eddie Addison was traveling the roads of Lancashire. As a sales representative for tube bending equipment, he was already aware of the limitations of the machines he was selling. Two years later, he took up the challenge: he founded Addison Tube Forming and began manufacturing his own equipment. His ambition? To design machines that were more precise, more reliable, and more flexible.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Ralph McKee was following a similar path. In 1972, he founded McKee Machine Tool Corp. (MMTC), known for its SEMCO (Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Company) division. Initially focused on the manufacture of special machines, in the 1980s the company shifted its focus to a field that was still relatively unexplored: tube forming and bending.
Two entrepreneurs, two continents, one shared conviction: the future of manufacturing lies in mastering tubing in all its forms.
The meeting: an alliance born of a shared dream
In 1992, their paths crossed. Addison Tube Forming and MMTC shared not only expertise, but also a vision: that of an industry that must constantly push the boundaries of precision. Their partnership gave rise to an even greater idea—to merge in order to innovate together.
And so, in 1998, Addison McKee was born.
Under this new name, the company quickly became a global benchmark. Its CNC machines, particularly the Data Bend range, attracted the leading manufacturers of automotive and industrial components.
Addison McKee established itself as a major player in high-precision tube bending and forming, serving demanding and international industries.
Growth supported by strategic acquisitions
The story of Addison McKee is also one of controlled expansion.
In 2007, the company acquired Eagle Precision Technologies, a specialist in vehicle muffler production equipment, and opened a factory in Brantford, Canada.
A few years later, in 2013, a new chapter began with the merger with Eaton Leonard, another iconic name in tube bending.
This union strengthened the company’s global presence, expanding its activities to Canada, China, France, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
To support this momentum, a factory was inaugurated in 2014 in Querétaro, Mexico, dedicated to the production of tools and consumables for the local market.
Birth of Addition Manufacturing Technologies
In 2015, several areas of expertise came together: Eagle Precision Technologies, Eaton Leonard, EL Tube Fixture, and Addison McKee joined forces to form Addition Manufacturing Technologies.
This consolidation has resulted in a comprehensive offering covering tube bending, forming, assembly, and fastening, with more than 8,000 machines installed worldwide.
Addition Manufacturing has become a key player in metal transformation, recognized for its expertise and international footprint.
2020, Numalliance enters the scene
When Numalliance acquired the assets of Addition Manufacturing Technologies in 2020, it was not just a simple acquisition: it was a meeting of industrial cultures. Addison McKee’s North American expertise was combined with Numalliance‘s French engineering and precision.
The goal is clear: to build a global network capable of offering local solutions while maintaining overall technological consistency.
The Addison McKee and Eaton Leonard machines then became the Addeaton by Numalliance brand—a symbol of technological continuity and shared ambition.
A global presence, a shared vision
In 2022, Numalliance took a new step forward by acquiring the assets of Addition Manufacturing Technologies in the United Kingdom and opening Numalliance UK.
Since 2023, activities have been structured around two divisions:
- Numalliance North America, in the United States, where more than 50 employees design and assemble machines and tools,
- Numalliance Mx, in Mexico, where 35 people handle production, retrofit of old Addison McKee and Eaton Leonard machines, and customer service.
Everywhere, the same philosophy drives our teams: innovating to serve manufacturers, offering local service, and guaranteeing uncompromising technical excellence.
More than a merger, a shared vision of the future
This journey, which began in British and American workshops more than sixty years ago, now finds its natural continuation within Numalliance.
Because beyond the machines, it is a human story that continues—that of passionate teams who believe in the power of international collaboration, useful technology, and the transmission of know-how.
Thanks to this merger, Numalliance confirms its role as a global leader in tube bending and forming, while preparing for the future: that of a more connected, more sustainable, and ever more ingenious industry.
