JASPER, IN -- Kimball Electronics on Thursday moved decisively into the hot medical EMS market, closing its acquisition of fellow EMS firm Reptron Electronics.

Technically a merger, the deal was announced last December. The approximate value of the transaction was $49.5 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Reptron will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Kimball. Reptron's four manufacturing operations located in Tampa; Hibbing, MN; Gaylord, MI; and Fremont, CA, will be renamed with Kimball Electronics identities.

The acquisitions support Kimball's strategy to grow business in the medical electronics and high-end industrial sectors. Reptron's sales revenue for the 12 months ending Sept. 30 was $145 million. It is among the 26 largest EMS companies in the world.

In a statement, Kimball International CEO and president Jim Thyen said, "We believe this combination of medical expertise and operational excellence, along with our existing global footprint and financial strength, will make for an excellent organization, not only supporting our growth and diversification strategy, but adding increased value to both new and existing customer relationships."

With the completion of this acquisition, sales to customers in the medical sector represent the largest percentage of Kimball Electronics' business. "The medical industry is being tracked as possessing some of the greatest growth potential among EMS companies," the company said.