Michelin announced today that it is in exclusive discussion with the main shareholders of the Camso Group for the acquisition of all outstanding shares in the Canada-based off-highway tyre specialist. It intends to issue a detailed communication on the matter “in due time” according to the outcome of the current discussions.
A ceremony was held on 6 July to mark to completion of Doublestar Tire’s acquisition of a 45 per cent share in Kumho Tire. The event in Seoul was titled ‘Celebrating New Beginning’ and was attended by the Chinese and South Korean tyre makers’ management teams as well as representatives from Korea Development Bank, which together with other creditors still maintains a 23 per cent share in Kumho Tire.
Tyre maker and technology company Continental has acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in Czech machine tool manufacturer VÚK. The purchase of VÚK strengthens its presence in the city of Otrokovice, Czech Republic, site of the company’s largest tyre manufacturing facility worldwide. Continental says it intends to leverage VÚK’s strengths to drive forward its development and production of technologically advanced tyre assembly machinery.
Automotive lighting and electronics supplier Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA is selling its Danish and Polish wholesale companies to the Swedish wholesaler and car service retail chain operator, Mekonomen AB. A corresponding agreement for the sale of FTZ Autodele & Verktoj A/S (FTZ) and Inter-Team sp. z o.o. (Inter-Team) has been signed by both companies.
Another tyre wholesaler in Germany is now in manufacturer hands. Hankook Tire has announced the 100 per cent equity purchase of independent wholesaler and retailer Reifen Müller. The acquisition gives Hankook Tire ownership of Reifen Müller’s sales distribution affiliate company, Reifen Müller KG, its 44 retail service outlets and the Reifen Müller GmbH & Co. Runderneuerungswerk KG retreading business.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has finalised its acquisition of New Zealand’s TRS Tyre & Wheel Ltd from automotive market company Bapcor Limited. TRS Tyre & Wheel distributes agricultural, material handling and construction tyres throughout New Zealand, specialising in the provision of tyres and complete wheels for tyre and tractor dealers.
European FinTyre Distribution Limited (EfTD), one of the largest Pan European tyre distributors, has agreed to acquire the privately held Reifen Krieg Group, a leading full-range tyre wholesaler in Germany. As a result, EfTD is set to become the market leader in two key European countries, Germany and Italy, with 1.1 billion euros of total revenue. According to EfTD, Reifen Krieg’s current owners, Holger Krieg and Tobias Fink, will continue as the group’s managing directors
The Mahle Group has increased its holding in BrainBee, an automotive workshop equipment specialist, to 80 per cent of the company’s shares. After a strategic minority holding of 20 per cent was agreed in September 2017, Mahle Aftermarket is now taking another important step toward becoming a solutions provider. With this majority acquisition, Mahle Aftermarket is significantly expanding its European presence in the area of equipment and services for workshops.
The solid tyre factory established by STARCO in Sri Lanka has been divested to TVS Group company Sun Tyre & Wheel Systems (Sun-TWS) for an undisclosed sum. The STARCO Lanka facility becomes Sun-TWS’ fifth manufacturing plant and, together with expansion programmes at its existing facilities, will help increase overall capacity by 40 per cent – a measure required in order to meet growing global demand.
The sale of Fenner PLC to Michelin has been finalised following the deal’s approval by shareholders and relevant legal bodies earlier this month. Following delivery of the scheme of arrangement (under Part 26 of the United Kingdom’s Companies Act 2006) to the Registrar of Companies today, Fenner has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Michelin. John Pratt, chief financial officer of Fenner, has been appointed Fenner’s new chief executive officer.
By acquiring a 75 per cent equity stake in high-tech digital prototype company ‘Model Solution Ltd.’, Hankook Tire hopes to benefit from synergies gained by combining the company’s know-how with that of its affiliate, super-size mould equipment company M&K Technology. The tyre maker paid KRW 68.6 billion (£47.3 million) for the stake.
A very small percentage of Kumho Tire’s output in recent years was shipped to the Republic of Korea Air Force for its F-16 fighter and T-50 trainer jet, and this military business was a complicating factor in the sale a 45 per cent stake in the tyre maker to China’s Doublestar Tyre. Following the vote to accept Doublestar’s KRW 646.3 billion (£441.9 million) bid, Kumho Tire has requested that South Korea’s government cancel its designation as a defence-related company. This request is now being reviewed.
Consolidation within Europe’s commercial vehicle steel wheel market is coming, but three will remain the magic number when it comes to suppliers. Some ten months after the proposed deal was first announced, the European Commission has granted its conditional blessing for Accuride Corporation to acquire steel wheel manufacturer Mefro Wheels GmbH.
Aftermarket wheel designer, marketer and distributor Wheel Pros has a new owner. The US-based company, previously the property of Audax Private Equity, has been sold to Clearlake Capital Group for an undisclosed sum. With its acquisition of Wheel Pros Holdings, LLC, Clearlake Capital Group takes on a company that serves over 10,000 retailers through its network of 33 distribution centres in North America and Australia, supplying them a portfolio of 12 proprietary brands and more than 300 custom wheel styles.
Automotive parts manufacturer Federal-Mogul is changing hands for US$5.4 billion. The new owner is vehicle ride performance and clean air products manufacturer Tenneco Inc., which yesterday signed a definitive agreement to acquire the business from Icahn Enterprises L.P. The acquisition is to be funded through cash, Tenneco equity and assumption of debt and is expected to close in the second half of 2018, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and other customary closing conditions.
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