Wood Stone Corp., a Bellingham-based company that makes stone-hearth ovens and other specialty cooking equipment, has been acquired by Henny Penny of Eaton, Ohio, both companies announced Dec. 16. The sale should close within weeks.

Wood Stone was founded in 1990 by Keith Carpenter and Harry Hegarty. The business partners sold their first oven to an Anthony’s Restaurant in Everett. Today, Wood Stone sells its equipment to food-service companies around the globe.

With the acquisition, the company will remain privately held and will continue to operate out of its Bellingham facility at 1801 W. Bakerview Road. Wood Stone currently employs 133 people. No personnel changes are expected with its sale to Henny Penny, according to the company.

Henny Penny has been in operation for more than five decades. It is known for developing the first commercial pressure fryer in 1957. The company sells a variety of food-service equipment through its worldwide distribution network; its notable clients include KFC and McDonalds.

In a news release, Carpenter noted that shared values and strategic alignment between the two companies solidified the deal.

“We never considered selling Wood Stone until we met and got to know Henny Penny,” Carpenter said. “Now, we will be able to expand our innovation capacity and global distribution and service footprint through this acquisition. This is an exciting time for Wood Stone; made even more so now with Henny Penny.”