Chinese firm buys US NVH manufacturer as part of globalisation strategy

By Liz White, ERJ staff

Beijing-Chinese automotive parts supplier Asimco Technologies Ltd has acquired a US maker of rubber-based bushings, engine mounts and body mounts for the automotive industry.

The move is part of a strategy by Asimco to become the first Chinese-based group to create a global network supplying automotive components.

Asimco, which is a major Chinese presence in powertrain and chassis components as well as diesel fuel injection and NVH products, said the acquisition of the US firm-NVH Concepts llc-"will provide Asimco Technologies with additional manufacturing presence in the US and bring new technologies to its customers globally."

The deal, announced 15 Aug, also gives Asimco "product development and manufacturing capability in engine mounts, bushings and other NVH products and a new composite material technology," the group added.

Earlier this year Asimco also set up an office in the UK to help UK-based operations that want to source products from China.

Discussing the NVH deal, Jack Perkowski, Asimco chairman and ceo, said that as well as creating a global network for "components, modules and systems used in powertrain and chassis sections," it will offer customers "new, innovative NVH technologies [to help them] drive down costs and improve quality."

NVH Concepts' strong, lightweight composite material will potentially replace steel, aluminum or magnesium materials in structural components.

Referring to significant opportunities for NVH products in China, Scott Wellman, founder of NVH Concepts, said "Asimco Technologies is ideally positioned to provide NVH solutions to China's OEMs." Wellman, who has more than 20 years of experience in NVH and rubber products, has been made an Asimco vice president, and will head the new Asimco NVH Technologies unit.

Asimco points out that its moulded rubber facilities in Ningguo and Wuhu in China's Anhui Province will be part of this business unit.

The UK unit, now operating out of an office based in the complex operated by MIRA Ltd. in Leicestershire, England, will be "attractive to European companies that want to source in China because it will eliminate language and time zone barriers,” said Perkowski in a company statement.

"We will be able to provide a unique, value-added sourcing solution to current and potential European customers,” across a broad product range, Perkowski added.

Privately held Asimco has 18 production plants in China, as well as three in the US.