PLYMOUTH, Mich. (Feb. 10)—Vibracoustic North America L.P., the vibration control business of Freudenberg-NOK G.P., has acquired the assets of Gates AirSprings, a division of Denver-based Gates Corp.
The acquisition will provide the company with North American engineering and production capacity, as well as enhance Vibracoustic's ability to serve its automotive and heavy truck customers, according to Pierre Y. Abboud, Vibracoustic North America president.
The deal brings together the capabilities of Gates AirSprings for the sport-utility vehicle and light truck segments and Vibracoustic's unique axial air spring technology for passenger cars and conventional bellows for heavy truck applications, the company said. The Gates acquisition will help accelerate Vibracoustic's development of next-generation air spring systems that will be lighter and cost less, while improving ride and comfort, Abboud said.
Gates AirSprings' main manufacturing operation is located in Lerma, Mexico, employing about 110 people at its 50,000-sq.-ft. facility.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.