DARMSTADT, Germany—Trelleborg-Vibracoustic is bolstering its business in India by integrating a recently purchased former joint venture into its main operation.
The company acquired the remaining 50 percent of Sigma Vibracoustic India from Sigma Corp. at the end of November for an undisclosed amount. A spokesman said the full integration of the company's Indian business is a logical step in its plan to expand its base and reach.
Included in the JV purchase is a plant in Mohali, India. TrelleborgVibracoustic also added a second factory in Noida, India, previously owned by Trelleborg A.B.
The two sites have been developing and manufacturing chassis and engine mounts, air springs, isolators, dampers and other products for about 15 years.
"The integration of our Indian operations means we also have become the market leader for anti-vibration solutions in India with our work force of some 1,400 employees," said Hans-Jurgen Goslar, who represents the company's management board.
He said that by merging Sigma Vibracoustic into TrelleborgVibracoustic, the company can offer local and global customers greater flexibility in meeting specific needs.
Sigma Vibracoustic was formed and incorporated in 1997 when Sigma Corp. and Phoenix A.G. set up the 50-50 JV.
Four years later, Phoenix's 50 percent share of Sigma Vibracoustic became part of Freudenberg when Phoenix and Freudenberg merged their anti-vibration divisions and created Vibracoustic. Sigma Phoenix was renamed Sigma Vibracoustic in April 2001.
In the third quarter of 2012, after more than a year of planning, Vibracoustic was combined with Trelleborg Automotive when Trelleborg A.B. and Freudenberg & Co. K.G. formed TrelleborgVibracoustic, a large global producer of anti-vibration products for light and heavy vehicles with annual sales in the $2 billion range.
The spokesman said the acquisition gives TrelleborgVibracoustic a larger global footprint in terms of design and development as well as manufacturing.
With the purchase of the remaining 50 percent of the JV and the integration process complete, the spokesman said, the company gains a complementary product, greater customer and segment range, purchasing efficiencies, increased manpower and additional capacity in a market with huge potential.
In addition to its growing operation in India, Darmstadt-based TrelleborgVibracoustic has regional hubs in North America, China, East Asia, Europe and South America. The company employs more than 8,000 worldwide.