GME Inc. International, the leading maker of hydrocutters and other food equipment used in the French fry, fruit and vegetable processing industry, announced that it has been acquired in an asset transfer agreement by Vanmark Equipment LLC of Creston, Iowa.

GME will continue business under the name of GME International from its current location in Boise, Idaho.

"The marriage of GME and Vanmark's receiving, peeling, washing and scrubbing products will offer customers a more complete solution to their processing line needs," said Tom Mathues, Vanmark's general manager.

"We will utilize our global sales team to promote both GME and Vanmark products. The new combination will bring added resources to GME's product development efforts as well as expansions into new markets."

Part and equipment orders and inquiries will be uninterrupted. GME orders will continue to be serviced from the Boise facility. No layoffs in the current Boise-based staff are planned. GME's founder and long time president, George Mendenhall, will retire.

"We look forward to the growth that will result from GME and Vanmark working together in the food equipment marketplace," Mathues added.