GROVE CITY — Wendell August Forge announced this week that it has bought the assets of Old Forge Metals of Vernon, N.Y., and will add that company’s pewter casting abilities to its repertoire.

“All of us internally are really excited for this opportunity,” said Will Knecht, owner of Wendell August Forge. “But, really, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up, to bring together two great metal companies.”

Wendell August Forge works mainly with aluminum, bronze, copper, stainless steel and sterling silver. Old Forge works mainly with pewter.

Hawley Scott, the previous owner of Old Forge, said he sold the company because it is time for him to retire.

“I’m getting on in years. I just decided I’m going to fold my tent up,” Scott said.

Scott sent out a letter last year to “everyone” in the industry stating his intention to retire.

Knecht said Wendell August received the letter in September. Often when the company get letters like this, it does not respond.

“But, for some reason, this one intrigued me,” Knecht said.

Wendell August replied in January and the two companies started talking. By March, a deal was struck.

All of Old Forge’s equipment, inventory, office furniture, samples and dies will be go to Wendell August’s Grove City headquarters.

Old Forge will begin packing Monday. Scott said he expects the equipment will arrive next Thursday. Then he expects the new shop to be set up in two weeks.

Although Old Forge is closing, no full-time jobs will be lost.

Scott told his staff of his intent to sell several months ago. All full-time workers found other employment, he said. Currently, Old Forge has three part-time employees, one of whom will retire when the shop closes.

“It’s really win-win,” Scott said of the business change.

Old Forge opened in 1975 when Oneida Silversmiths Ltd. left the pewter manufacturing business and three former employees started the company. Scott bought Old Forge in 1987.

The new line of products will be called “Old Forge Pewter by Wendell August.” Scott is pleased Wendell August is keeping the Old Forge name.

Scott will work with Wendell August on a part-time basis to help with the transition. He has a three-year consulting agreement with the forge, but he expects most of the work will take six months.

“It’s a pretty flexible arrangement,” Scott said.

This is Wendell August’s first time in the business of casting its own pewter. Before, it would contract out if it wanted pewter pieces.

Two Wendell August craftsmen are at Old Forge learning its process.

Orders already have been placed, and Knecht said he expects the pewter line to be fully operational by the end of May.

Old Forge has a large presence in college bookstores, a market that Wendell August has been trying to crack. Knecht said Wendell August will pursue that market this year.

Knecht said the forge likely will have to add jobs later as demand increases.

Currently, it employs 100 people.