American Standard America, Crane Plumbing and Eljer announced Feb. 13 their intent to merge. The closing is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2008, and integration of the companies’ operations is expected to occur within a 12- to 24-month period.

Once the merger is complete, Donald C. Devine, president and CEO of American Standard America, will lead the new company and Kevin Oak, CEO of Crane Plumbing, will become COO. Jim Harris, CEO of Eljer, will be part of the integration steering committee. The new organization will be headquartered in Piscataway, N.J., and will have operations in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The three companies will continue to conduct business as usual and operate as independent companies until the closing.

American Standard America, Crane Plumbing and Eljer are affiliated portfolio companies of Sun Capital Partners, a private investment firm. Bain Capital Partners is a minority partner in American Standard America and will remain a minority partner in the new consolidated entity.