Automated Concepts Inc. (Council Bluffs, IA) and Meritage Manufacturing Solutions (Warrenville, IL)have merged and will be known as Automated Concepts Inc. The new company will remain a subsidiary of Sierra Concepts, the current owner of MMS. Approximately 100 people will be divided between facilities in Iowa and Illinois. According to the company's press release, services will include consulative engineering analysis, system engineering aned robotic system design, prototype factrications, system build and integration. Automated Concepts specializes in applications such as machine load/unload, material removal and welding. Meritage Manufacturing Solutions provided automation solutions and robotic integration for the Meritage orgazination, a mega-distributorship formed in 1999.