Trelleborg Group completes acquisition of Metzeler Automotive Hose Systems
Trelleborg Group completes acquisition of Metzeler Automotive Hose Systems The Trelleborg Group's acquisition of Metzeler Automotive Hose Systems, a division of Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems SA, has now been completed. Metzeler's operations focus on hose systems for the supply of air and engine cooling and the acquisition reflects a strategic strengthening of areas in which Trelleborg Automotive today holds a leading position, including France. The acquisition consolidates Trelleborg's market presence in eastern Europe, contributes new customers and complements the Group's existing product portfolio within the hose systems segment. Metzeler Automotive Hose Systems has annual sales of approximately SEK 600 M, with some 850 employees. The head office is located in Mannheim, Germany, and the company has three production units, in Poland, the Czech Republic and Italy, and sales offices in the United Kingdom and France. Metzeler AHS manufactures components and systems for engine cooling, vacuum- and air-supply applications. The product portfolio includes rubber and silicon hoses. The purchase price amounts to SEK 275 M. The acquisition is expected to have a positive effect on earnings during 2004 and Metzeler will be consolidated in Trelleborg's earnings as of the first quarter of 2004. The Trelleborg Automotive business area is a leading global supplier of antivibration products and fluid systems, primarily for the light vehicles industry. Including this acquisition, the business area will have annual sales of approximately SEK 9,500 M, with about 9,250 employees in 14 countries on four continents. The head office of the business area is located in Michigan in the United States. Organizationally, Metzeler will be incorporated within the Fluid Systems business unit. Further information can be obtained from Trelleborg's Senior Vice president, Corporate Communications, Mikael Byström, +46 (0)410-670 37, +46 (0)708-552169 or Vice President Corporate Communications, Viktoria Bergman, +4 (0)410-670 94, +46 (0)708-47 57 33. Trelleborg is a global industrial group. Operations are based on spearhead competence within polymer materials and a high level of industrial know-how, combined with functional solutions and systems designed to meet the needs of our customers. The Trelleborg Group has annual sales of approximately SEK 22.5 billion, with about 21,000 employees in 40 countries. Trelleborg consists of five business areas: Trelleborg Automotive, Trelleborg Wheel Systems, Trelleborg Engineered Systems, Trelleborg Building Systems and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions. The Trelleborg share has been quoted on the A list of Stockholmsbörsen since 1964. www.trelleborg.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/07/20040107BIT01140/wkr0001.DOC http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/07/20040107BIT01140/wkr0002.pdf