BRESCIA, Italy-Italy's CF Gomma S.p.A. expects to enter a joint venture in the U.S. involving brake hose and anti-vibration rubber parts. A maker of automotive anti-vibration parts and custom compounder, CF Gomma wants to establish more connections with U.S. car makers, a company official said. The firm sees potential in supplying parts for future models designed in Europe and made in the U.S., and anticipates announcing a joint venture in the U.S. before the end of 1996.
CF Gomma's expertise in anti-vibration parts can benefit U.S. designers, the official said. U.S. designers ``are not used to saving space and weight,'' as European automotive designers are, he said.
CF Gomma also is looking at the potential for supplying Iveco, Fiat's truck-making subsidiary, in China.
Besides China, the manufacturer's strategy involves setting up plants in Argentina, Brazil, India and Turkey. The Brescia-based, family-owned firm also makes air springs, brake hose and other brake parts in its seven plants in Italy and Poland, and ranks itself as the fourth or fifth largest maker of rubber-to-metal bonded automotive parts in Europe.
``We must consolidate by acquisition and new plants,'' said Paolo Cingia, general manager at the firm's Passirano, Brescia plant.
CF Gomma had projected 1996 sales of $224.5 million, up 15 percent from 1995. It already is involved in ventures in countries where Fiat is setting up production, with its CF Poland Division plant at Czestochowa, Poland, supplying the local Fiat unit with engine mounts and brake hose. The venture in Argentina will supply Fiat's plant in Cordoba and will make brake hose and anti-vibration parts before the end of the year, Cingia said.
The company employs a total of 1,580. CF Gomma recently announced plans to be listed on a local small companies stock exchange, generating funds for expansion.