Federal-Mogul Corp. recently announced that its European subsidiaries entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire certain business assets of the Honeywell automotive and industrial brake friction business, including two recently established manufacturing facilities in China and Romania. Honeywell Friction Material business is headquartered in Glinde, Germany, and employs more than 2,000 associates globally. The transaction is subject to customary approvals from regulatory authorities and other stakeholders where required. The parties anticipate closing the transaction during the second half of 2014.
“This acquisition accelerates Federal-Mogul’s long-term strategy to strengthen its core product lines, including its global friction portfolio for both original equipment and aftermarket customers. We believe this transaction will generate significant synergies, which will create substantial value for all stakeholders,” stated Carl Icahn, chairman of the board of Federal-Mogul.
“Honeywell’s recognized braking technology and its restructured manufacturing footprint make the acquisition a solid addition to our existing global friction business,” added Kevin Freeland, CEO, Federal-Mogul Vehicle Components. “We expect to combine the Federal-Mogul and Honeywell brake businesses to realize significant synergies in all elements of the business. Our customers in all segments and regions will benefit from the transaction as we will be able to provide them with the best of both companies.”
The Honeywell business will substantially strengthen the manufacturing and engineering technology footprint of Federal-Mogul’s brake platform with enhanced manufacturing capacity and capability. The combined business will better serve global customers, both OE and aftermarket, with cost-competitive and innovative leading-edge solutions, according to Federal-Mogul.
Federal-Mogul today supplies an extensive line of automotive and heavy-duty original equipment and aftermarket brake components. The company sells the Wagner, Ferodo and Necto brake friction product lines in the global automotive aftermarket. Federal-Mogul is among the first brake friction companies to offer low- and zero-copper brake formulations for original equipment customers, and recently launched low copper brake pads in the aftermarket as well.
